Consider the following statement(s) about “Article 19” of the Indian Constitution:

1. These rights are protected only against the State and not against private individuals.

2. Reasonable restrictions can be put on all the freedoms on the grounds of public order, decency or morality, contempt of court, defamation and incitement of an offence.

3. No objection can be made when the State carries on a trade, business, industry or service either as a monopoly to the exclusion of citizens.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

Solution

● Statement 1 is correct - These rights are protected only against the State and not against private individuals. ● Statement 2 is incorrect – Article 19 itself defines the reasonable restrictions imposed on the rights provided under this Article. These are: • Statement 3 is correct- Article 19(6) provides exception to Article 19(1)(g) that No objection can be made when the State carries on a trade, business, industry or service either as a monopoly (complete or partial) to the exclusion of citizens (all or some only) or in competition with any citizen.