New Delhi, September 15 (H.S.): The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy in a contempt petition seeking regulation of institutions that provide education or religious instruction to children below the age of 14. A bench headed by Justice Dipankar Datta directed T.K. Anil Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, to file his response within four weeks.

The petition has been filed by BJP leader and advocate Ashwini Upadhyay. The petition contends that despite the Supreme Court’s earlier directions, no action was taken by the Secretary on his representation. On May 11, the Supreme Court had directed Ashwini Upadhyay to submit a representation to the Central Government regarding his demands. Subsequently, he submitted his representation to the concerned department of the Central Government. The petition states that no action was taken on the representation.

The petition seeks a system of registration, recognition, monitoring and inspection for all such institutions. It calls for these measures by reading Article 21A of the Constitution together with Articles 39(f), 45 and 51A(k).

The petition further contends that Article 30 of the Constitution does not confer any special or additional rights on minorities that are distinct from the rights already available to citizens under Article 19(1)(g). It argues that Article 30 is merely a specific reiteration of Article 19(1)(g) and does not grant citizens any additional rights, benefits or privileges beyond those guaranteed under Article 19(1)(g).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar