Page 142 - Constitution
P. 142
70 Years of Indian Years of Indian
Constitution
Constitution
circumscribed by the limits of the economic capacity In addition, the launch of the Aarogya Setu App
of the State and its development’. 10 is a significant advancement of the government
Mohini Jain Vs. State of Karnataka & Ors. in these challenging times. The app collects
(MANU/SC/0357/1992) is amongst the first cases data from the user about their health and uses it
where the Supreme Court of India held the Right to to keep track of their movement and health
Education to be a Fundamental Right; stating that
“right to education”, therefore, is concomitant to the has witnessed caged children who could not go out
fundamental rights enshrined under Part III of the to play games also. Non availability of smart phones
Constitution. The State is under a Constitutional internet connectivity for content consumption is
mandate to provide educational institutions at all another problem.
levels for the benefit of the citizens. Reflecting on the 'Right to Food' element, state
From 1 April 2010, Right to Education was read governments have, time and again, ensured the
into the Constitution of India as a fundamental right constant availability of food stocks to ration shops.
available to all children in age group 6-14 years. However, these measures have become impractical
Article 21(A) of the Constitution of India requires in the current situation, as reports show that many
every State to provide free and compulsory education poor people in various states are struggling to get
to such children in a manner as the State, by Law, food, and migrants who do not have a BPL card are
may determine. considered to be ineligible to buy food grain from
The Corona pandemic and the resultant disruption ration shops.
has had a major impact on the right to education. In addition, the launch of the Aarogya Setu App
Schools have remained closed with children is a significant advancement of the government in
compelled to be indoors. Online education has these challenging times. The app collects data from
added a new dimension to the economic divide but the user about their health and uses it to keep track of
at the same time, it has created a different problem their movement and health. This helps the community
in terms of cyber security. Poor people could not to be vigilant and informed about their surroundings,
afford the apparatus to facilitate online education thus alerting the user if they have come into contact
even if it is available. As a result, the whole nation with a positive Covid-19 patient.
142 70 Years of Indian Constitution
