'Constitution does not ban moral instruction': High Court rejects plea against ‘Gayatri Mantra’ in Chhattisgarh schools
'Constitution does not ban moral instruction': High Court rejects plea against ‘Gayatri Mantra’ in Chhattisgarh schools. (See the linked source for details.)
Quick Revision
Prelims-testable facts
- 01The Indian Constitution does not explicitly ban moral instruction in schools.
- 02The High Court of Chhattisgarh rejected a plea to remove the 'Gayatri Mantra' from school curriculum.
- 03The 'Gayatri Mantra' is considered a part of moral instruction and not a religious practice by the court.
- 04The Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession, subject to public order, morality, and health.
Trap alerts
- Most people think the Indian Constitution bans all forms of moral instruction in schools, but actually it only restricts them if they are contrary to public order, morality, or health.
- Most people think the 'Gayatri Mantra' is a religious practice, but actually it was considered a part of moral instruction by the court.
Mains Practice Question
Examine the implications of the High Court's ruling on the constitutional provision for moral instruction in schools.
250 words
Practice this in the exam hall →Prelims Practice MCQs
Constitution does not ban moral instruction: Which legal entity rejected a plea against ‘Gayatri Mantra’ in Chhattisgarh schools?
- A.Supreme Court
- B.High Court
- C.National Human Rights Commission
- D.State Election Commission
The High Court is the legal entity that rejected a plea against ‘Gayatri Mantra’ in Chhattisgarh schools, upholding the constitutional provision for moral instruction.
The news item reports that a plea was rejected against ‘Gayatri Mantra’ in Chhattisgarh schools. In which state are these schools located?
- A.Rajasthan
- B.Madhya Pradesh
- C.Chhattisgarh
- D.Odisha
The schools in question are located in Chhattisgarh, a state in central India.
Consider the following two statements: Statement-I: The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that teaching the Gayatri Mantra in schools does not violate the Constitution. Statement-II: This ruling is because the Indian Constitution explicitly prohibits the promotion of any particular religion or religious practice in educational institutions. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
- B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
- C.Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
- D.Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Statement 1 is correct as per the High Court's decision. Statement 2 is incorrect because it misrepresents the Constitution's stance on promoting particular religions or practices; there's no such explicit prohibition mentioned in the text.