Viral message claiming Article 30A restricting preaching of Hinduism in schools, colleges, fake
'Article 30A' does not exist in Indian Constitution
Mangaluru: A viral message circulating on social media platforms in Kannada language praises Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his alleged move against 'Article 30A' in the Indian Constitution. The message claims Modi was ready to eliminate Article 30A from the Constitution.
The message claims that India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, betrayed Hindus by enacting this article, restricting the preaching of Hinduism and Hindu culture in public schools and colleges. It also states that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel opposed this article, and after his pressure, Nehru withdrew it, but later reinstated it after Patel's demise.
The message further alleges that Article 30A confiscates donations to Hindu temples for the government's use, while donations to mosques and churches benefit Muslim and Christian communities respectively. Additionally, it asserts that Article 30 allows teaching the Quran in madrassas but prevents the teaching of the Gita in schools.
Our fact-check reveals that the viral claim is false. There is no Article 30A in the Indian Constitution. Article 30 indeed exists, granting rights to educational institutions established and operated by minorities. It empowers religious or linguistic minorities to establish and manage educational institutions of their choice. This article has three subsections:
1. Right to Establish Institutions: All minorities, whether religious or linguistic, have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
2. Protection of Minority Rights: If any law requires the compulsory acquisition of property owned by a minority educational institution, the state must ensure that it doesn't violate minority rights.
3. Non-Discrimination in Financial Assistance: The state cannot discriminate in providing financial aid to educational institutions run by minorities.
Article 30 enables minority communities to provide education in their own language. For instance, Muslims can use Urdu, and Christians can use English as mediums of instruction.
Furthermore, Article 28 deals with religious instruction or worship in educational institutions. Clause 1 prohibits religious instruction in state-funded institutions. However, clause 2 allows religious education in institutions administered by the state but established under specific trusts mandating religious instruction.
Conclusion:
In summary, there is no Article 30A in the Indian Constitution. Article 30 guarantees minority rights, allowing them to establish and manage educational institutions, and does not impose any restrictions on teaching religious texts. The viral claims regarding restrictions on Hinduism, unequal treatment of donations, and teaching practices are unfounded.
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
