Protection of interests of minorities
Also called: Article 29 · Topic: Fundamental Rights and Constitutional Remedies · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "Rights in the Indian Constitution"
Meaning
Article 29 has two parts. First, any section of citizens with a distinct language, script or culture has the right to conserve it. This covers any such group, not only minorities. Second, no citizen can be refused admission to a State-run or State-aided institution on grounds of religion, race, caste or language. It is a citizens-only right.
Example
A group of citizens with its own script may run classes and publications to keep that script alive. A government-aided college cannot reject a student only because of the student's language.
Don't confuse with
- Article 30: this gives only religious and linguistic minorities the right to set up and run educational institutions of their choice. Article 29 protects any group's culture and bans discrimination in admissions.
Related concepts
- Freedom of religion
- Freedom of conscience
- Right to propagate religion
- Rev. Stainislaus case
- Anti-conversion laws
- State regulation of religious practice
- Freedom to manage religious affairs
- Religious denomination
- Freedom from taxes for promotion of religion
- Freedom as to religious instruction