Right to Dignity

The Supreme Court, in December 2021, has directed the Union and State governments and Union Territories to immediately begin the process of issuing Aadhaar cards, ration cards and voter identity cards to sex workers. It has observed that fundamental rights are guaranteed to every citizen irrespective of vocation. It has assured right to dignity to every individual irrespective of their vocation.

Earlier, on September 29, 2020, the apex court had asked the Union government and others to provide dry ration to them without insisting on their identity proof.

Implications of the Judgment

1. Preserves right to dignity of an individual
2. Helps to build an inclusive society
3. Makes India progressive on path of its role as a welfare state
4. Help the sex workers to avail benefits of schemes being executed in the country
5. Empowerment of sex workers