There’s No Article 30(A) That Says Gita Can’t Be Taught in Schools

There is no provision in Article 30 which makes this distinction.

A viral message claims that under Article 30, Quran can be taught in madrasas, while, allegedly under Article 30(A), Bhagavad Gita cannot be read in schools.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

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CLAIM

A viral message on social media claims that under Article 30 of the Indian Constitution, Quran, which is the religious text of Islam, can be taught in madrasas, while, allegedly under Article 30(A), Bhagavad Gita, Sanskrit scripture which is a part of Mahabharata, cannot be read in schools.

Several social media users have shared the claim on Twitter and Facebook. Twitter user Vinita Rajpoot had shared the message, and was retweeted over 1,500 times and liked by 2,800 people till the time the article was written.

(Source: Twitter)

An archived version of the tweet can seen here.

(Source: Facebook)

The Quint received a query about the claim via its WhatsApp helpline.

TRUE OR FALSE?

The claim that under the constitution, Quran can be taught in madrasas but Bhagavad Gita cannot be read in schools is absolutely false.

Firstly, there is no Article 30(A). The sub clause to Article 30 is Article 30(1A).

Secondly, The Quint got in touch with former Secretary General of Lok Sabha Subhash Kashyap who said that there is no provision in the Indian constitution that suggests that Quran can be taught in madrasas and Bhagavad Gita cannot be read in schools.

What Does Article 30 Say?

Article 30 of the Indian Constitution gives the right to minority groups, based on religion and language, to establish and administer educational institutions. Article 30(1A) deals with the fixed amount for acquisition of property of any educational institution established by minority groups.

Article 30(2) of the article states that government should not discriminate in giving aid to these educational institutions only because they are administered by minority groups, be it on the basis on any religion or language.

Article 30 of the Indian constitution.(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Speaking to The Quint, Kashyap said that there is no provision under Article 30 that talks about teaching Quran or not teaching Gita. He said:

“Under Article 30, minority groups can administer and establish educational institutions. Further, they can choose the medium of instruction to be used in the school. But the claim about Quran and Bhagavad Gita can taught or read in schools or not has got nothing to do with Article 30.”

Constitutional Expert Subhash Kashyap

So, the claim about Article 30 is completely false and misleading.

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