2002 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies
Question 58: Polity and Governance
Which one of the following rights was described by Dr B. R. Ambedkar as the heart and soul of the Constitution?
aRight to freedom of religion
bRight to property
cRight to equality
dRight to Constitutional remedies
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Dr B. R. Ambedkar called the right to constitutional remedies (Article 32) the heart and soul of the Constitution. It lets a person go straight to the Supreme Court to enforce any fundamental right through writs such as habeas corpus and mandamus; a right without a remedy would be empty. Article 32 is itself a fundamental right.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Freedom of religion is not the right he called the heart and soul.
- (b) Property was later removed from the fundamental rights, and it was not described this way.
- (c) Equality is basic, but he did not call it the heart and soul.
- (d) Right: the right to constitutional remedies (Article 32).
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.