Blogs of Ankush

  Continuing the Right to Freedom of Religion, Article 27 protects individuals from being compelled to pay taxes for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion. It ensures that public funds are not used to favour one religion over others. The purpose of Article 27 is to maintain the secular character of the Indian State. Since India does not follow any state religion, the government cannot force citizens to financially support religious activities through taxation. However, this does not mean that the State cannot collect general taxes that may indirectly benefit religious institutions, such as funding for infrastructure or heritage conservation. The key principle is that taxes cannot be specifically imposed to promote or support a particular religion. For example, a law requiring citizens to pay a special tax exclusively for building or maintaining a religious institution would violate Article 27. But general administrative charges or regulatory fees are permitted...

Following Article 25, which guarantees individual freedom of religion, Article 26 protects the collective rights of religious denominations. It grants every religious denomination or section thereof the right to manage its own religious affairs. Article 26 provides four key rights: to establish and maintain religious institutions, to manage its own affairs in matters of religion, to own and acquire property, and to administer such property in accordance with law. These rights allow religious groups to function independently within the constitutional framework. However, these freedoms are subject to public order, morality, and health. The State may regulate secular activities associated with religious institutions, such as financial management or property administration, but it cannot interfere in essential religious practices without valid constitutional grounds. Courts often examine whether a practice is religious in nature or secular in character when disputes arise. This helps m...

  After protecting equality and safeguarding children from exploitation, the Constitution moves to the Right to Freedom of Religion under Article 25 . This Article guarantees to all persons the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise, and propagate religion. Freedom of conscience means that every individual has the right to believe or not believe in any religion. The right to profess allows a person to declare their faith openly, while the right to practise includes performing religious rituals and customs. The right to propagate permits sharing religious beliefs with others. However, this freedom is not absolute. Article 25 is subject to public order, morality, health, and other Fundamental Rights. The State may also regulate secular activities associated with religious practices and introduce social reforms. For example, practices that violate public safety or fundamental rights may be restricted by law. Courts often examine whether a particular practi...

India's education landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the rise of EdTech platforms. With the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating the shift to online learning, EdTech has become a crucial component of India's digital education ecosystem. From online courses and virtual classrooms to AI-powered learning tools, EdTech is revolutionizing the way students learn and teachers teach. EdTech platforms like Byju's, Unacademy, and Vedantu are providing access to quality education to students across the country, bridging the gap between urban and rural areas. These platforms offer personalized learning experiences, interactive content, and real-time feedback, making learning more engaging and effective. Moreover, EdTech is also enabling teachers to reach a wider audience, enhance their teaching skills, and access resources and training. As India aims to achieve its education goals, EdTech is poised to play a vital role in shaping the future of learning. The gover...

  Continuing the Fundamental Rights under Part III, Article 24 provides protection to children by prohibiting their employment in hazardous industries. It states that no child below the age of 14 years shall be employed in any factory, mine, or other hazardous occupation. The purpose of Article 24 is to safeguard children from exploitation and to ensure that their childhood is protected. Instead of being forced into unsafe labour, children are expected to receive education, care, and opportunities for healthy development. This Article works together with other constitutional provisions, such as the Right to Education under Article 21A and various child protection laws enacted by Parliament. These laws regulate working conditions and prohibit child labour in dangerous environments. Although child labour in non-hazardous family-based activities has been debated in policy discussions, hazardous employment remains strictly prohibited under the Constitution. Thus, Article 24 reflects In...

After Article 22 safeguards personal liberty during arrest and detention, Article 23 addresses a serious violation of human dignity: human trafficking and forced labour . Article 23 prohibits trafficking in human beings, begar, and other forms of forced labour. Trafficking refers to the illegal trade and exploitation of people, especially women and children, for purposes such as forced work or abuse. Begar means forcing a person to work without payment or against their will. Article 23 ensures that such practices are unconstitutional and punishable by law. This Article is important because it protects vulnerable sections of society from exploitation and upholds the principle of freedom and dignity. It applies not only against the State but also against private individuals and organisations. To enforce Article 23, Parliament has enacted laws such as the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and other labour protection legislations. Courts have also interpreted forced labour broadly to incl...