The Article that deals with freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions is:

Article 28 deals with freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in educational institutions. It divides institutions into types according to who runs or funds them.

Types of institutions under Article 28:

• Institutions wholly maintained out of State funds: no religious instruction can be given in them.
• Institutions administered by the State but established under an endowment or trust that requires religious instruction: religious instruction is allowed.
• Institutions recognised by the State or receiving aid from State funds: religious instruction is allowed, but no person can be compelled to take part in it without his consent.
• In the case of a minor, the consent of the guardian is required.

Purpose of the Article:

• It keeps public education free from religious teaching, in line with secularism.
• It protects students from being forced to attend religious classes or worship against their will.
• It still allows private and endowment-based institutions to give religious instruction to those who choose it.

Religious instruction versus education about religion:

• Religious instruction means teaching the rituals, prayers and doctrines of a particular faith.
• The Supreme Court has held that teaching about the philosophy and values of different religions in a comparative way is not prohibited.
• In the Aruna Roy case (2002), the Court upheld the teaching of values based on different religions in school curricula.

Place in Part III:

• Article 28 is the last Article of the Right to Freedom of Religion.
• These rights are available to all persons.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Article 26 deals with the freedom of religious denominations to manage their affairs.
• ✗Good to know
• ✗Articles 29 and 30 deal with the cultural and educational rights of minorities.