New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday sought reponse of Bar Council of India (BCI) on a Public Interest Litigation sought direction to consider and decide to include the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 as a compulsory subject in the curriculum of the LLB Course in time.
The bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna issued notice to Bar Council of India and listed the matter for further hearing on January 24, 2023.
The plea submitted that it is so required in the public interest as awareness about this RTE Act is basic to legal education in the country. Needless to say, the right to education is a key right of the children.
The action or inaction on the part of the respondent Bar Council of India violates the fundamental right to education as guaranteed to lakhs of children under Articles 14, 21 and 21-A of the Constitution of India read with provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
The petitioner, Social Jurist, a civil rights group through Advocates Ashok Aggarwal and Kumar Utkarsh stated that they have sent representation dated March 24, 2023, followed by a reminder letter dated November 30, 2023, to respondent Bar Council of India but unfortunately, petitioner has not received any respond to it till date.
The plea further stated that RTE Act, 2009 needs to be implemented in its true letter and spirit and the same can happen only if, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act, 2009) is taught as a compulsory subject in Centres of Legal Education.
It also submitted that any further delay on the part of the Bar Council of India to consider and decide to include the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 in the curriculum of the LLB course would defeat the object and purpose of the RTE Act and would also be detrimental to the public interest. (with ANI inputs)
