Right to Freedom of Movement

 Right to Freedom of Movement

 Right to Freedom of movement is guaranteed under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution. It entitles every citizen to move freely throughout the territory of the country.

 This right is protected against only state action and not private individuals. Moreover, it is available only to the citizens and to shareholders of a company but not to foreigners or legal persons like companies or corporations, etc.

 Restrictions on this freedom can only be imposed on two grounds which are mentioned in the Article 19 of the constitution itself, namely, the interests of the general public and the protection of interests of any scheduled tribe.

 The Supreme Court held that the freedom of movement of prostitutes can be restricted on the ground of public health and in the interest of public morals.

 The freedom of movement has two dimensions, viz, internal (right to move inside the country) and external (right to move out of the country and right to come back to the country).

 Article 19 protects only the first dimension. The second dimension is dealt by Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty).