Constitutional Morality recognizes human dignity as foundational to Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty), requiring state action to respect individual autonomy, privacy, and worth — a principle affirmed in cases like ______ (2017) recognizing privacy as intrinsic to dignity and liberty.

Answer: Puttaswamy

Dignity foundation in Constitutional Morality: (a) Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017): 9-judge bench unanimously held right to privacy is intrinsic to life and liberty under Article 21; also part of freedoms under Article 19 and equality under Article 14, (b) Dignity dimensions: (i) Spatial (control over physical space), (ii) Decisional (autonomy over personal choices), (iii) Informational (control over personal data), (c) Constitutional Morality application: (i) Privacy not absolute; subject to proportionality test balancing individual rights vs state interests (security, welfare efficiency), (ii) Foundation for subsequent judgments: Aadhaar authentication limits, decriminalization of homosexuality (Navtej Singh Johar), reproductive rights, digital privacy (Anuradha Bhasin), (d) Broader principle: Constitutional Morality requires state action to respect individual dignity — not just avoid physical harm but protect autonomy, privacy, self-determination, (e) Balance: Individual dignity vs collective welfare; proportionality test ensures restrictions justified, not arbitrary. Illustrates dignity-centric constitutionalism: human worth as foundational value guiding interpretation and application of rights.