Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the Right against Exploitation?

The correct answer is Article 23.

• Article 23 deals with 'Right against Exploitation.

Key Points

• Right against exploitation(Article 23-24).
• Article 23 deals with the Prohibition of Human Trafficking and Forced Labour:
  • Forced labour in India was imposed by landlords, moneylenders and other wealthy persons in the past.
    • Article 23 of the Indian Constitution prohibits human trafficking and begar (forced labour without payment) to protect the millions of underprivileged and deprived people of the country.
    • The right is available to citizens of India as well as to non-citizens.
    • The right provides against human trafficking in the form of:
      • Selling and buying of men, women and children.
      • Prostitution
      • Devadasis
      • Slavery.
    • The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 13, 1956 has been enacted to deal with violations of this fundamental right.
• Prohibition of Child Labour: Article 24 of the Indian Constitution forbids the employment of children below the age of 14 years in dangerous jobs like factories and mines.
  • However, it did not prohibit their employment in any harmless or innocent work.
  • The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 (renamed as Child & Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 in 2016) specifically deals with the violations related to this right.
    • The 2016 amendment of this act completely prohibited the employment of children below 14 years of age in all occupations and processes.
    • It also prohibited the employment of adolescents (14-18 years of age) in hazardous occupations or processes.

Additional Information

• Article 20 of the Constitution of India deals with the protection in respect of conviction for offences.
• Article 22 deals with the protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.
• Article 21 deals with the Protection of Life and Personal Liberty.