Right to equality is one of the six fundamental rights in the Indian constitution. It includes equality before law, prohibition of discrimination on grounds of race, religion, gender, and caste or birth place. It also includes equality of opportunity in matters of employment, abolition of untouchability and titles. In simple words we can say it is the right to live with equal opportunities. It simply treat all people to be same and nobody can get a special privilege which will dishonour any individual or group. As per Article no 14 of our constitution, it guarantees that all people shall be equally protected by the laws of the country.
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The State will treat people in the same circumstances alike. Right to equality not only applies to the citizens of India but also to all the people within the territory of India. Every citizen, from Prime Minister to an ordinary individual, is subjected to the same laws. All citizens have access to public places like shops, restaurants, hotels, multiplexes. Similarly, no restriction with regards to use of well, bathing ghats, roads, playgrounds and places of public resort maintained by government. It is not ‘a rule of men’, but a measure of liberty enjoyed by the people. Law should neither be arbitrary nor should it guarantee privilege. We should always treat rich and poor, high and low equal before the law. But the judiciary must be independent and impartial if the Rule of Law can mean anything real.