Book Description

Human rights are often called Fundamental and Universal. Human freedom refers primarily to a condition characterized by the absence of coercion or constraint imposed by another person. It refers to an aspect of conduct within which each man chooses his own course and is protected from compulsion or restrain. Man has the right to live. He has the right to bodily integrate and to the means necessary for proper development of life, particularly food, clothing, shelter, medical care, rest and finally necessary social services. Hence rights are undeniable and inherent rights of every individual. The primary objective of this book is to understand the golden thread in the issue of human rights, namely, the philosophy of human rights and to understand the judicial activism of the Indian judiciary through the pronouncements of the Supreme Court, referring to the national laws and also international instruments, thus, protecting and promoting human rights in India. Further, this work traces the various steps taken by other agencies including NGOs in upholding and protecting human rights, enhancing dignity of the human being and establishing the fundamental freedoms inherent in nature. Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar, two tribal dominated Districts of Odisha are taken as the area of for the present work . The present work has been divided into six chapters. The first chapter is an introductory one covering the aims, objectives and limitations of the study. It also presents a brief review of the existing literature on Human Rights. In the second chapter, an attempt has been made to discuss the concept of Human Rights and its historical evolution in the international as well as national arena. The human rights protected under the constitutional law in India with special emphasis on fundamental rights and directive principles have been discussed in this Chapter. Judiciary which is the guardian of Human Rights in India is discussed in the third Chapter. The role of Supreme Court of India in enforcing Human Rights has been discussed in this chapter on the basis of some case laws. The constitution, powers and functions of the National and State Human Rights Commissions, the district courts and their role in protecting Human Rights in India have been presented in the fourth chapter. In the fifth chapter an attempt has been made to discuss the major areas where Human Rights have been violated and the efforts made to protect them have been discussed with special reference to Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts. In the sixth chapter, concluding observations have been offered. This book is primarily meant for LL.B and LL.M students of the College and University. It is also useful to those involve in Human Rights area in their day today life.