The Constitution of India prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in any factory and mines, etc. under the (A) Article 14 (B) Article 24 (C) Article 34 (D) Article 40

by

Points to Remember:

  • The Indian Constitution’s provisions regarding child labor.
  • Specific articles related to fundamental rights and directive principles.
  • The age limit for prohibiting child labor in factories and mines.

Introduction:

The Constitution of India guarantees fundamental rights and lays down directive principles of state policy. One crucial aspect is the protection of children, particularly from exploitative labor practices. The question focuses on identifying the specific article that prohibits the employment of children below 14 years in factories and mines. Understanding this requires knowledge of the fundamental rights and the specific articles related to child labor. While Articles 14, 34, and 40 deal with other constitutional aspects, only one directly addresses the prohibition of child labor.

Body:

Article 24: Prohibition of Child Labour:

Article 24 of the Constitution of India explicitly states: “No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment.” This article falls under Part III of the Constitution, which deals with Fundamental Rights. It is a crucial safeguard against child exploitation, ensuring that children are not deprived of their right to education and healthy development by being forced into hazardous labor. This right is non-derogable, meaning it cannot be suspended even during a national emergency.

Other Articles and their Relevance:

  • Article 14 (Equality before law): While not directly related to child labor prohibition, Article 14 ensures equality before the law and equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. This indirectly supports the prohibition of child labor as it prevents discrimination against children based on their age and vulnerability.

  • Article 34 (Emergency provisions): This article deals with the power of the Parliament to modify the fundamental rights during a national emergency. However, as mentioned earlier, Article 24 is non-derogable and cannot be suspended.

  • Article 40 (Organization of village panchayats): This article falls under Part IV, Directive Principles of State Policy. It deals with the organization of village panchayats and is unrelated to the prohibition of child labor.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the correct answer is (B) Article 24. This article unequivocally prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in factories, mines, and other hazardous employments. While other articles contribute to a broader framework of child protection and equality, Article 24 is the specific constitutional provision directly addressing the prohibition of child labor. Moving forward, effective implementation of Article 24 requires stringent enforcement of laws, increased awareness campaigns, and robust mechanisms to monitor and prevent child labor practices. A holistic approach involving government agencies, NGOs, and civil society is crucial to ensure that children are protected from exploitation and given the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential, upholding the constitutional values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

JPSC Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for JPSC Prelims and JPSC Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by JPSC Notes are as follows:- For any doubt, Just leave us a Chat or Fill us a querry––