Human rights in India is an issue complicated by the country’s large size, its tremendous diversity, and its status as a developing country, and a sovereign, secular, democratic republic. The Constitution of India provides for Fundamental rights, which include freedom of religion. Clauses also provide for Freedom of Speech, as well as separation of executive and judiciary, and freedom of movement within the country and abroad.

In India, the idea of human rights is not a contribution of western countries. These rights are a common heritage of the glorious past. Of course, the enjoyment of these rights was not open to all segments of society. There was no uniform application of these freedoms as the society was a caste-ridden hierarchical one. Throughout the period of the liberation movement, Indians fought for the protection of their human rights such as political freedom and the right to self-determination.