Jammu & Kashmir High Court: Right to Change Name Fundamental

The Jammu & Kashmir High Court ruled that the fundamental right to change one's name is rooted in individual liberty and personal autonomy. The bench extended constitutional protection to the act of name change, recognizing it under Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty), emphasizing personal identity's role in privacy and dignity. The state was ordered to facilitate name changes and simplify administrative procedures, removing arbitrary and burdensome hurdles. The judgment strengthens privacy rights and establishes important precedent for other jurisdictions seeking legal clarity on name change requests, especially where identity is linked to citizenship, documentation, and self-expression.