Supreme Court to hear PIL on regulation of institutions teaching children below 14 years
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on May 11 a public interest litigation seeking directions for the regulation and monitoring of all institutions imparting secular education or religious instruction to children below the age of 14 years.
A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma is likely to hear the petition filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay.
Filed through advocate Ashwani Dubey, the plea has sought directions to ensure the registration, recognition, supervision and monitoring of all educational and religious institutions catering to children up to 14 years of age.
The petition invoked Article 21A along with Articles 39(f), 45 and 51-A(k) of the Constitution, arguing that the State has a heightened responsibility towards children because of their vulnerable and impressionable age.
The plea further contended that Article 30 of the Constitution does not grant any special or additional rights to minorities beyond those guaranteed under Article 19(1)(g), which relates to the right to practise any profession or carry on any occupation, trade or business.
The petitioner sought a declaration from the court that Article 30 is only a reiteration of Article 19(1)(g) and does not confer extra privileges or benefits.
According to the plea, unregistered and unrecognised institutions are allegedly operating in several border districts without proper oversight or regulatory mechanisms.
Upadhyay claimed that during visits to districts along the Uttar Pradesh border, numerous such institutions were found functioning without official recognition.
The petition argued that the issue also concerns national security, alleging that children studying in unregulated institutions could be vulnerable to manipulation or indoctrination.
The PIL urged the apex court to direct authorities to establish an effective monitoring framework for all institutions imparting education or religious instruction to minors below 14 years of age.
