A State law requires every wholesale trader to obtain a fresh licence every year on payment of an extremely heavy fee, which forces small traders out of business. The small traders wish to challenge the law as violating their fundamental right to carry on business. Which article should they rely upon?

Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution guarantees to all citizens the right to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business, subject to reasonable restrictions which the State may impose under Article 19(6) in the interest of the general public. A licensing regime is permissible in principle, but the restriction must be reasonable; a law imposing an exorbitant fee which effectively drives small traders out of business may fail that test and be struck down. Article 19(1)(a) protects speech and expression, Article 19(1)(b) the right to assemble, Article 21 protects life and personal liberty, and Article 300A provides that no person shall be deprived of property save by authority of law. Since the grievance concerns the right to carry on business, Article 19(1)(g) is the correct ground.