Madrasa Education Act Upheld: The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Board Act, 2004, which regulates madrasa education in the state. This overturned a previous Allahabad High Court decision that struck down the Act.
State’s Authority Affirmed: The Court asserted the state’s power to regulate madrasa education, including aspects of the syllabus that involve religious instruction. This was deemed necessary to ensure quality and mainstreaming of education.
Secularism and Diversity: The Court emphasized that India’s rich history of diversity should be preserved and that secularism doesn’t necessitate the isolation of religious education.
Mainstreaming Madrasas: Chief Justice Chandrachud highlighted the importance of mainstreaming madrasas to avoid ghettoization and promote integration. He stressed that religious instruction is not exclusive to Islam and is prevalent in various educational institutions across different faiths.
Balancing Religious Instruction and Secular Education: The Court acknowledged the constitutional recognition of religious instruction (Article 23) while underscoring the state’s role in ensuring the quality of secular education within madrasas.
Promoting National Interest: The judgment emphasized the need to balance religious instruction with broader national interests, ensuring that young minds receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for a diverse and inclusive society.
Basic Structure Doctrine Not Applicable to Ordinary Laws: The Supreme Court ruled that the validity of a law cannot be challenged solely on the grounds of violating the Basic Structure of the Constitution. This doctrine, which protects core constitutional principles, will primarily apply to constitutional amendments.
Upholding State Power to Regulate Madrasas: The ruling came in the context of upholding the Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Board Act, 2004. The Court affirmed the state’s authority to legislate on madrasa education.
Specific Constitutional Provisions Must Be Cited: To challenge a law, litigants must demonstrate that it violates specific constitutional provisions related to secularism, rather than relying on the broad concept of the Basic Structure.
Reiterating ‘Indira Nehru Gandhi vs. Raj Narain’ Precedent: The Court referenced the landmark 1975 case, which differentiated between ordinary statutes and constitutional amendments. It emphasized that applying the Basic Structure doctrine to regular laws could lead to excessive judicial intervention in the legislative process.
Chief Justice’s Reasoning: Chief Justice Chandrachud argued that the Basic Structure doctrine involves “undefined concepts” like democracy and secularism. Applying it to invalidate ordinary laws would introduce uncertainty in constitutional interpretation.
Massive Scale: The Abhay Prabhavana museum, inaugurated on November 5th, 2024, is being hailed as India’s largest museum dedicated to Jain philosophy and culture. It sprawls across 3.5 lakh square feet within a 50-acre campus along the Indrayani River.
Immersive Experience: The museum features 30 galleries showcasing Jain values and teachings through cutting-edge technology, including audio-visual displays, animations, virtual reality, and interactive systems. It also houses numerous artworks, sculptures, and replicas.
Five Journeys: Visitors can embark on five distinct journeys within the museum, exploring Jain philosophy, history, the path to happiness, and Indic values. An outdoor nature trail complements the indoor exhibits.
Accessibility and Future Plans: The museum aims to attract over 2,000 visitors daily and is wheelchair accessible. Plans are in place to create a dedicated children’s museum within the campus to cater to younger audiences.
Notable Inauguration: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, along with other dignitaries and spiritual leaders, inaugurated the museum, emphasizing its role in inspiring future generations and promoting societal development.
Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) is constructing four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) for the Indian Navy, touted as the most advanced in their class. These vessels are larger and more capable than previous patrol vessels.
Enhanced Capabilities: The NGOPVs boast greater endurance and firepower compared to their predecessors. They are equipped for diverse roles, including out-of-area contingency operations, anti-piracy missions, counter-infiltration, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
Keel Laying Ceremony: A ceremony marking the keel laying of two NGOPVs was held on November 5, 2024, attended by West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and senior officials from various branches of the Indian Armed Forces.
Production Underway: GRSE has initiated production on all four NGOPVs, with the two whose keels were laid already at an advanced stage. These vessels measure 113 meters in length, 14.6 meters in width, and displace 3,000 tons.
Boosting Indigenous Shipbuilding: The Governor highlighted the significance of these warships in strengthening India’s position as a major military power and emphasized the country’s growing capabilities in the shipbuilding sector.