Evolution Of Article 21

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees to all individuals’ right to life and liberty. Adopted from the concept of due process of law as mentioned under the American Constitution, it is considered as the heart of the Indian Constitution. This article which had started with the meaning of mere freedom of human body in 1950 has evolved over the years to become a set of rights within itself to protect human life and liberty. But the judges of the Supreme Court as recently as in 2019, have commented about the need to expand the scope of article 21. This is because with changing times the human needs and priorities keep changing and the judiciary and lawmakers must keep this in mind, to make sure that the laws are equipped to serve the basic needs of the changing times.