What Is Constitution Of India Article 29?

Constitution Of India Article 29: Protection Of Interests Of Minorities

29. Protection of interests of minorities.

• (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.

Brief Detail

Article 29 safeguards the cultural, linguistic, and educational rights of minorities. It ensures their right to conserve their distinct identity and prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, caste, or language in admissions to State-funded or State-maintained educational institutions.

Question

Q1: What rights does Article 29(1) provide to minorities?

A1: Article 29(1) provides minorities the right to conserve their distinct language, script, or culture.

Q2: Can admission to State-aided institutions be denied based on religion or language?

A2: No, Article 29(2) prohibits denying admission to any citizen in State-funded or State-maintained institutions based on religion, race, caste, or language.

Example

Example 1: A linguistic minority group establishes cultural programs to preserve their unique language and script under Article 29(1).

Example 2: A student cannot be denied admission to a State-funded college solely because of their religion or mother tongue, as protected under Article 29(2).

Summary

Article 29 ensures the protection of the cultural, linguistic, and educational rights of minorities. It promotes the preservation of diversity and prohibits discrimination in educational opportunities based on identity markers like religion, race, or language.