Right to Walk in India: Supreme Court Judgment, Article 19 & Article 21 MCQs 2026
Right to Walk in India: Supreme Court Judgment, Article 19 & Article 21 MCQs 2026
The Right to Walk has gained constitutional significance in India after the Supreme Court held that the right to walk on safe and properly demarcated footpaths is a Fundamental Right under Part III of the Constitution.
The issue was considered by the Supreme Court in Maniyar Iliyaz and Shaik Riyaz v. P. Ayyappan & Ors. The Court linked the Right to Walk mainly with Article 19(1)(d), which guarantees freedom of movement, and Article 21, which protects life and personal liberty.
The judgment is important because walking is not viewed merely as a mode of transport. Safe pedestrian movement is also connected with dignity, safety and the effective exercise of several constitutional freedoms.
What is the Right to Walk?
The Right to Walk, as recognised in the judgment, means that people have a fundamental right to walk on safe and demarcated footpaths. This right is closely connected with the constitutional freedom to move freely throughout India.
The Supreme Court also connected this right with the protection of life and personal liberty under Article 21. Safe pedestrian infrastructure therefore has a constitutional dimension because it enables movement with dignity and safety.
Constitutional Provisions Linked with the Right to Walk
Article 19(1)(d): Guarantees the freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India. This is one of the main constitutional foundations of the Right to Walk.
Article 21: Guarantees protection of life and personal liberty and supports the idea of living with dignity and safety.
The judgment also links the Right to Walk with other freedoms under Article 19, including freedom of speech and expression, peaceful assembly and the freedom to form associations, unions or cooperative societies.
Quick Revision Points
Important Case: Maniyar Iliyaz and Shaik Riyaz v. P. Ayyappan & Ors.
Court: Supreme Court of India
Status: Fundamental Right under Part III of the Constitution
Main Constitutional Basis: Article 19(1)(d) and Article 21
Article 19(1)(d): Freedom of Movement
Article 21: Right to Life and Personal Liberty
Also Linked With: Article 19(1)(a), Article 19(1)(b) and Article 19(1)(c)
Core Idea: Right to walk on safe and demarcated footpaths
POINT TO REMEMBER:-
Q1) In which case did the Supreme Court recognise the Right to Walk on safe, demarcated footpaths as a Fundamental Right?
A) SaveLIFE Foundation v. Union of India
B) Maniyar Iliyaz and Shaik Riyaz v. P. Ayyappan & Ors.
C) Laksh Vir Singh Yadav v. Union of India
D) State of Tamil Nadu v. State of Karnataka
Answer:=> B) Maniyar Iliyaz and Shaik Riyaz v. P. Ayyappan & Ors.
Explanation: The Supreme Court in Maniyar Iliyaz and Shaik Riyaz v. P. Ayyappan & Ors. held that the right to walk on safe and demarcated footpaths is a Fundamental Right.
Q2) The Supreme Court held that the Right to Walk is protected under which part of the Constitution?
A) Part II
B) Part III
C) Part IV
D) Part IVA
Answer:=> B) Part III
Explanation: Part III of the Constitution deals with Fundamental Rights. The Supreme Court held that the Right to Walk on safe and demarcated footpaths is a Fundamental Right under Part III.
Q3) Which Article is directly associated with the freedom to move freely throughout India?
A) Article 19(1)(a)
B) Article 19(1)(b)
C) Article 19(1)(c)
D) Article 19(1)(d)
Answer:=> D) Article 19(1)(d)
Explanation: Article 19(1)(d) guarantees the freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India and is one of the main constitutional bases of the Right to Walk.
Q4) Apart from Article 19(1)(d), the Right to Walk also flows from which Article?
A) Article 14
B) Article 21
C) Article 25
D) Article 32
Answer:=> B) Article 21
Explanation: The Supreme Court also linked the Right to Walk with Article 21, which guarantees protection of life and personal liberty.
Q5) Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees:
A) Freedom of religion
B) Protection of life and personal liberty
C) Equality of opportunity in public employment
D) Freedom of trade and profession only
Answer:=> B) Protection of life and personal liberty
Explanation: Article 21 guarantees protection of life and personal liberty. The judgment links this protection with a life of dignity and safety.
Q6) According to the judgment, the Right to Walk specifically includes the right to use:
A) Only national highways
B) Safe and demarcated footpaths
C) Private roads without restriction
D) Railway tracks for pedestrian movement
Answer:=> B) Safe and demarcated footpaths
Explanation: The Supreme Court specifically recognised the right to walk on safe and demarcated footpaths as a Fundamental Right.
Q7) Which of the following Articles is linked with Freedom of Speech and Expression?
A) Article 19(1)(a)
B) Article 19(1)(b)
C) Article 19(1)(c)
D) Article 19(1)(d)
Answer:=> A) Article 19(1)(a)
Explanation: Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech and expression. The judgment also links the Right to Walk with this constitutional freedom.
Q8) Article 19(1)(b) is associated with which of the following?
A) Freedom of movement
B) Freedom of speech
C) Freedom of peaceful assembly without arms
D) Freedom to form associations
Answer:=> C) Freedom of peaceful assembly without arms
Explanation: Article 19(1)(b) provides the freedom to assemble peacefully and without arms.
Q9) Article 19(1)(c) guarantees the freedom to:
A) Move freely throughout India
B) Form associations, unions or cooperative societies
C) Practice any religion
D) Seek constitutional remedies
Answer:=> B) Form associations, unions or cooperative societies
Explanation: Article 19(1)(c) protects the freedom to form associations, unions and cooperative societies.
Q10) Consider the following statements regarding the Right to Walk:
1. It has been recognised as a Fundamental Right under Part III.
2. It flows from Article 19(1)(d) and Article 21.
3. It concerns safe and demarcated footpaths.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer:=> D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: All three statements are correct. The Supreme Court recognised safe pedestrian movement on demarcated footpaths as a Fundamental Right linked mainly with Article 19(1)(d) and Article 21.
Q11) Match the following constitutional provisions with their freedoms:
1. Article 19(1)(a) - Freedom of Speech and Expression
2. Article 19(1)(b) - Peaceful Assembly without Arms
3. Article 19(1)(c) - Formation of Associations, Unions or Cooperative Societies
4. Article 19(1)(d) - Freedom of Movement
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
A) Only one
B) Only two
C) Only three
D) All four
Answer:=> D) All four
Explanation: All four constitutional provisions are correctly matched with the freedoms mentioned in the judgment's discussion of the Right to Walk.
Q12) Which of the following is NOT mentioned as being linked with the Right to Walk in the source?
A) Freedom of Speech and Expression
B) Freedom of Peaceful Assembly
C) Freedom to form Associations
D) Freedom of Religion
Answer:=> D) Freedom of Religion
Explanation: The source links the Right to Walk with Articles 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b), 19(1)(c), 19(1)(d) and Article 21. Freedom of Religion is not mentioned in this section.
Q13) Which of the following best explains why Article 21 is relevant to the Right to Walk?
A) It guarantees taxation rights.
B) It protects life and personal liberty, including dignity and safety.
C) It deals exclusively with elections.
D) It gives Parliament power to amend the Constitution.
Answer:=> B) It protects life and personal liberty, including dignity and safety.
Explanation: The source connects Article 21 with protection of life and personal liberty and with ensuring a life of dignity and safety.
Q14) Which of the following is the most direct constitutional foundation for a person's freedom to move freely throughout India?
A) Article 19(1)(a)
B) Article 19(1)(b)
C) Article 19(1)(c)
D) Article 19(1)(d)
Answer:=> D) Article 19(1)(d)
Explanation: Article 19(1)(d) specifically provides the freedom to move freely throughout India, making it directly relevant to the Right to Walk.
Q15) Which of the following best summarises the Supreme Court's view on the Right to Walk?
A) Walking is merely a municipal facility and has no constitutional connection.
B) Walking on safe and demarcated footpaths is a Fundamental Right connected with freedom of movement, life, dignity and safety.
C) Only vehicle owners have a constitutional right to road access.
D) The Constitution deals only with interstate movement and not pedestrian movement.
Answer:=> B) Walking on safe and demarcated footpaths is a Fundamental Right connected with freedom of movement, life, dignity and safety.
Explanation: The judgment recognises safe pedestrian movement as a constitutional right and links it mainly with Article 19(1)(d) and Article 21.
Why is the Right to Walk Important?
The Right to Walk judgment gives constitutional importance to safe pedestrian movement. It recognises that the ability to move freely is meaningful only when people can use public spaces with reasonable safety and dignity.
For competitive examinations, the most important point is the constitutional linkage. The Right to Walk primarily flows from Article 19(1)(d) and Article 21, while the judgment also connects it with other freedoms under Article 19.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court's recognition of the Right to Walk on safe and demarcated footpaths shows how Fundamental Rights can apply to everyday aspects of public life. Freedom of movement is not merely theoretical; its meaningful exercise also involves dignity and safety.
For quick revision, remember the case Maniyar Iliyaz and Shaik Riyaz v. P. Ayyappan & Ors., the phrase safe and demarcated footpaths, and the two key constitutional provisions: Article 19(1)(d) and Article 21.
