Equality of status and opportunity:
Here we must note that the constitution talks of two kinds of equality status and opportunity. In the Indian context, equality of status is, in many ways, a very important issue. From time immemorial, patriarchy, casteism, and feudalism have created gross inequality in status and prestige in our society even to the extent that some people are considered untouchable, which deprives them of many rights. At the same time, some classes in our society have been given special privileges and rights. In addition, many people who were loyal to the British government were awarded special status. The constitution seeks to eliminate these inequalities so that everyone can live the life they want and do the work they want.
It took two initiatives to achieve this
1. everyone was given equal status before the law, whether they were kings or beggars, elite or outcast, female or male.
2. discrimination in public life on the basis of gender, caste, religion, language, etc was banned so that any citizen can aspire for any post and also use all public facilities.
The constitution talks of equal opportunity for everyone. This means everyone will not only have equal rights to aspire for any position but will also be provided equal opportunity to acquire the required qualifications. For example, if the qualifications for the post of judge are a law degree and experience in legal practice, anyone who has these qualifications can apply for the post. Also, no one can be prohibited from obtaining a law degree or practising law in court on the basis of gender, caste, religion or language.
Like justice and freedom, equality, too, is a philosophical concept. Every human being, whether woman or man, rich or poor, physically handicapped or not, young or elderly, of any religion, caste or region, gets equal respect and status as an individual. What needs to be appreciated is that the constitution does not talk about parity in everything (most noticeably economic equality). It talks only of equality of status and opportunity.