Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation, also known as the “Tellis Case,” was a landmark judgment of the Supreme Court of India that dealt with the issue of the right to livelihood. The case was heard in 1985 and was significant in that it established the principle that the right to livelihood is an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Olga Tellis, who was a pavement dweller in Bombay, had filed a writ petition challenging the Bombay Municipal Corporation’s decision to demolish the pavement where she lived. She argued that the demolition would result in the loss of her livelihood and would violate her right to life.

The Bombay Municipal Corporation argued that the demolition was necessary to clear the pavements for the construction of a road, and that it did not violate the rights of the pavement dwellers. However, the Supreme Court rejected this argument and held that the demolition would violate the right to livelihood of the pavement dwellers.

The Court held that the right to livelihood is an integral part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, and that the state cannot deny this right to any citizen. The Court also held that the state has a constitutional obligation to ensure that all citizens have access to a means of livelihood, and that any action that denies this right is unconstitutional.

The judgment in the Tellis Case was significant in that it established the principle that the right to livelihood is an integral part of the right to life and laid down the legal foundation for the protection of the rights of marginalized communities in India. It also established the role of the judiciary in upholding the principle of the right to livelihood and protecting the rights of all citizens.

The Tellis Case was a turning point in the history of India and had a far-reaching impact on the protection and promotion of the rights of marginalized communities. It was a strong reaffirmation of the principle of the right to livelihood and the fundamental rights of all individuals, and it laid the foundation for the struggle for social justice and equality in India.

The Tellis Case was also significant in that it marked the beginning of a new era in the legal and political history of India. It was the first major case that dealt with the issue of the right to livelihood, and it established the Supreme Court as an independent and impartial body that was responsible for the protection of the rights of all citizens.

The Tellis Case was a landmark judgment that had a profound impact on the protection and promotion of the rights of marginalized communities in India. It established the principle that the right to livelihood is an integral part of the right to life and laid the foundation for the struggle for social justice and equality in India. The case is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Indian Constitution and the commitment of the judiciary to the protection of the fundamental rights of all citizens.