In PUDR v. Union of India (Asiad Workers Case), AIR 1982 SC 1473, the Supreme Court interpreted 'begar' under Article 23 to mean:
AWorking without payment of wages, but only when done for a State authority or department
BAny unpaid social service voluntarily rendered for a charitable or religious purpose
CCompelling labour or service without remuneration, including payment of less than minimum wage
DBonded labour as defined in the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 alone, nothing else
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Compelling labour or service without remuneration, including payment of less than minimum wage
1. In PUDR (Asiad Workers Case), Bhagwati J. held that 'begar' under Article 23 is not confined to forced UNPAID labour but extends to ALL forms of forced labour, including paying less than the prescribed minimum wage.
2. The Court held that an employer who pays below the minimum wage commits a constitutional wrong actionable under Article 23.
3. Voluntary social service is excluded; bonded labour is one particular sub-category, not exhaustive.
4. Hence option B is correct.
_Source: Constitution of India (Bare Act, updated to 105th Amendment Act 2021), Govt. of India Legislative Dept., PUDR v. Union of India, AIR 1982 SC 1473 (Asiad Workers Case)_
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