Part III: Fundamental Rights
Article 29: Protection of Interests of Minorities:: Cultural and Educational Rights
(1) Any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language, script, or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same.
(2) No citizen shall be denied admission into any educational institution maintained by the State or receiving aid out of State funds on grounds only of religion, race, caste, language, or any of them.
Explanation
Article 29 protects the rights of minority communities to preserve their unique culture, language, and script. Additionally, it ensures equal access to state-maintained or state-aided educational institutions, fostering a more inclusive educational environment for all citizens.
Key Aspects of Article 29
- Cultural Preservation: Allows minorities with unique languages, scripts, and cultures to maintain and promote their heritage.
- Equal Access to Education: Ensures that no citizen is denied admission based on religion, race, caste, or language in state-maintained or aided educational institutions.
Real-Life Applications
The Tamil language movement in Tamil Nadu exemplifies the preservation of linguistic identity. Similarly, linguistic minorities like the Urdu-speaking communities in Karnataka benefit from Article 29, which ensures their access to education without discrimination based on language.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Article 29 protects the rights of minorities to preserve their language, script, and culture, and ensures non-discriminatory access to state-aided educational institutions.
No, under Article 29(2), students cannot be denied admission to state-maintained or state-aided institutions based solely on language, religion, caste, or race.
No, Article 29 protects any group with a distinct language, script, or culture, including both religious and linguistic minorities.