The Supreme Court has sought a response from the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Education in a contempt petition alleging non-compliance with its earlier direction to consider a representation concerning institutions providing secular or religious education to children up to 14 years of age.
Background
The petition was filed by advocate and BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. He alleged that the Education Ministry had not acted on his representation despite the Supreme Court’s May 11, 2026 order directing the Central government to examine it within two months.
The representation raised concerns about the monitoring of institutions imparting religious and secular education to children. It also sought consideration of issues concerning the legal framework governing such institutions.
A Bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sheel Nagu heard the contempt petition. During the hearing, Upadhyay submitted that the matter also raised constitutional questions.
The Bench, however, clarified that the scope of the present proceedings was limited to compliance with the earlier order.
"This is contempt. In contempt, we will not consider any constitutional issues. We will only ensure our order is complied with. When they give hearing, you go and establish ... Let them come first."
The Court therefore sought a response from T.K. Anil Kumar, Secretary, Union Ministry of Education.
The Supreme Court adjourned the matter and directed that the response be placed before it. The case has been listed for further hearing after four weeks, with the next hearing scheduled for October 16, 2026.
