A Name They Never Chose, A Life They Must Live
Understanding the Legal Rights of Children Born Out of Wedlock in India. The Weight of a Label There are some names in society that are not just words, they are judgments. For children born outside marriage, the label "illegitimate" has historically been one of them. It is a name they never chose, yet one they are often forced to carry. But law, unlike society has slowly begun to unlearn this prejudice. It now recognizes that a child's identity cannot be reduced to the relationship of their parents. The focus is shifting from labelling the child to protecting the child. "No child is born with a label, society writes it for them." Constitutional Promise: Equality Above All At the core of this transformation lies the constitution of India. Article 14 guarantees equality before the law, while Article 21 ensures the right to live with dignity. Together, they create a shield against discrimination based on birth. The Supreme Court of India has repeatedly affirmed tha...
