Citizenship

Citizens in most democratic states today can expect political rights such as the right to vote; civil rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of belief; and some socio-economic rights such as the right to a minimum wage and the right to education. They also expect equality of rights and status.

Their obligations include obeying the laws of the state, and also fulfilling their duties to fellow citizens by respecting their rights. Citizenship also involves a moral obligation to participate in and contribute to the shared life of the community. Citizens should help protect the common culture and natural resources of the country and settle disputes through negotiation and discussion rather than force.

Although citizens may be granted equal rights in law, they may not be able to exercise them equally in practice. The chapter gives several reasons.

- Poor and marginalised people may lack the resources needed to use their rights effectively. For example, slum dwellers may find it difficult to vote because a fixed address is required.
- Some citizens may face social or economic inequalities that limit access to education, employment, housing, or health care.
- Migrants, refugees, and tribal people may face exclusion, harassment, or loss of livelihood, so their formal rights do not become real advantages.
- Different groups may have different needs, so a uniform policy may not help everyone equally.

So, equal rights on paper do not automatically mean equal ability to enjoy those rights in everyday life.

Two recent struggles for full enjoyment of citizen rights in India are:

1. The women’s movement
- It works to draw attention to women’s needs and to influence government policy.
- It claims equal rights and opportunities for women.

2. The dalit movement
- It seeks to remove discrimination and social inequality.
- It claims equality of status and equal citizenship rights for dalits.

Another example mentioned in the chapter is the struggle of slum-dwellers, such as in the Olga Tellis case, where the right to live on pavements or in slums was linked to the right to livelihood and right to shelter under Article 21.

These struggles show that citizenship rights have to be continuously fought for and expanded.