The right of all citizens to form associations or unions is guaranteed by:

Article 19(1)(c) gives all citizens the right to form associations or unions. The words "or co-operative societies" were added by the 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011.

What the right includes:

• Citizens may form political parties, trade unions, clubs, societies, companies and partnership firms.
• The right includes the right to start an association, to become a member, and also the right not to join an association.

Reasonable restrictions:

• Under Article 19(4), the State can impose reasonable restrictions in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, public order or morality.
• For this reason, organisations that promote terrorism or secession can be banned, for example under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Limits laid down by courts:

The right to form a union does not include a guaranteed right to strike. The Supreme Court has held that there is no fundamental right to go on strike.

It also does not include a right to recognition of the union by the government.

Trade unions in law:

Trade unions are registered under a central law on trade unions passed before independence.

Co-operative societies:

• The 97th Amendment also added Article 43B, a Directive Principle on promoting co-operatives, and Part IXB on co-operative societies.
• In 2021, the Supreme Court struck down parts of Part IXB that dealt with state co-operatives, because they had not been ratified by the states.

Who can claim it:

Only citizens of India can claim the Article 19 freedoms.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Article 19(1)(a) covers freedom of speech and expression.
• ✗Article 19(1)(b) covers the right to assemble peaceably and without arms.
• ✗Article 19(1)(g) covers professions, trade and business.