Compulsory Vaccination Against Fundamental Rights, Says Meghalaya High Court Over Suo Moto PIL

Meghalaya High Court on June 24 held that forced vaccination violates fundamental rights as mandated under Article 19(1)(g) of the Indian Constitution, Bar and Bench reported. The court observed that forcing taxi drivers, shopkeepers etc to get vaccinated as a condition for resuming their  profession or business “vitiates the very fundamental purpose of the welfare attached to it.”

The bench of Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder & Justice HS Thangkhiew, also noted that vaccination was the need of the hour. They said it is a necessary measure to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The bench, however, stressed that the state government cannot take any action that would violate the fundamental right to livelihood enshrined under Article 19(1) of the Constitution. It added that the burden also lies upon the state government to stop the spread of misinformation regarding the vaccination exercise. Watch the video to know more.