Equality - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition equality

Definition :

Equality, Equality under art. 16 could not have a different content from equality under art. 14. Equality of opportunity for unequals can only mean aggravation of inequality. Equality of opportunity admits discrimination with reason and prohibits discrimination without reason, State of Kerala v. N.M. Thomas, (1976) 2 SCC 310: AIR 1976 SC 490: (1976) 1 SCR 906.

The quality or state being equal; esp. likeness in power or political status, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 597.

Indian Constitution guarantees equality of opportunity to all citizens in the matter of employment or appointment to any office under the State, no citizen will be denied employment on the ground of religion, race, caste, sex and place of birth etc. However, the State can make special provision for reservation of posts for backward class citizens, Constitution of India, Art. 16(1), (2) & 4.

The equality before law does not mean absolute equality of men, it only means equal subjection of all individuals to the ordinary law of the land, Commentary on the Constitution of India, Durga Das Basu, Vol. 2, p. 289.

Is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. Every citizen is guaranteed equality before law or equal protection of laws within the territory of India [Constitution of India, Art. 14].

The uniformity and likeness of civil liberty, A Dictionary of Law, William C. Anderson, 1899, p. 406.

Is the State is equal in political, economic and social rights, Webster's American Dictionary, p. 391.

The State can make any provision for reservation in matters of promotion with consequential seniority to any class or classes of posts for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes [Constitution of India, Art. 16-4A].