THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA AS A PROTECTOR OF EQUALITY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE VULNERABLE GROUPS IN THE SOCIETY: A CRITICAL LEGAL STUDY

The Constitution of India provides for the equality before law and the equal protection of laws. Article 14 to Article 18 of the Constitution of India deals with the concept of equality for all without making any negative discrimination as one of the fundamental rights. This paper aims at addressing the concept of equality by focusing on various caste gender and economic discrimination with the special reference to the right of women in India. It basically focuses on the positive discriminations and caste-based reservation system as well. This article also focuses on the role of Indian judiciary while enforcing the right to equality in various aspects. This article also pays its concern on the provisions laid down in personal laws for protecting the rights of the vulnerable groups of the society. This study is doctrinal in nature and based on mostly secondary data.