Right to Constitutional Remedies: When the Courts Become the Last (and Only) Hope
In a remote town in Odisha, a group of tribal villagers was denied ration cards and housing benefits due to an “administrative error.” For months, they went hungry.
No grievance portal worked. No official responded. So, with the help of a local NGO, they approached the Supreme Court under Article 32.
And the Court reminded the nation: “If a right exists, so must a remedy.”
The Legal Pillar: Article 32
Article 32 is unique. It empowers citizens to approach the Supreme Court directly if any of their fundamental rights are violated.
Dr. Ambedkar famously called it the “heart and soul” of the Constitution.
The 2025 Judgment
The Court took suo motu cognizance and ruled:
- Failure of government welfare systems violates Article 21 (Right to Life)
- Bureaucratic lapses cannot override human dignity
- Article 32 remains a powerful weapon for the marginalized
Practical Significance
- You can approach the SC directly without waiting for local redressal
- The judiciary has powers to issue writs: Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Certiorari, Quo Warranto, and Prohibition
- Expands the concept of "social justice litigation"
When all doors close, Article 32 is not a knock—it’s a hammer.
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