Rights Are Recognised, Not Granted
January 17, 2026
In this episode of We the People, Surabhi Singh breaks down a powerful but often misunderstood idea: rights are recognised, not granted. Using everyday examples and insights from political philosophy and constitutional law, this video explains why freedoms like speech, conscience, equality, and dignity don’t come from the state — they belong to us simply because we are human. From John Locke’s theory of natural rights to modern constitutions, the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and thinkers like Ronald Dworkin, we explore: Why governments don’t “create” rights What it means for a constitution to recognise rights Why majority opinion cannot override individual dignity How this idea separates citizens from subjects And why protecting rights requires courts, institutions, and public resistance Understanding where rights come from changes how we see power, justice, and democracy itself.