E/CN.4/1997/91/Add.1 page 3 7. The implications of the freedom of religion guaranteed under the Constitution are as follows: (a) Equality before the law (art. 14 of the Constitution); (b) Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth (art. 15 of the Constitution); (c) Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment (art. 16, para. 2 of the Constitution states that “No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion ... be ineligible for, or discriminated against, in respect of any employment or office under the State”; the State may, however, take steps to reserve certain posts or jobs for disadvantaged classes of citizens); (d) Freedom of propagation of religion practice of religion is as respect for the laws conscience and free profession, practice and (according to art. 25 of the Constitution, the subject to public order, morality and health, as well in force); (e) Freedom to manage religious affairs (art. 26 of the Constitution states that every religious denomination or any section thereof has the right to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes, to manage its own affairs in matters of religion, to own and acquire movable and immovable property and to administer such property in accordance with the law); (f) Freedom as to payment of taxes for the promotion of any particular religion (art. 27 of the Constitution); (g) Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions (according to art. 28 of the Constitution, no person attending any educational institution recognized by the State or receiving aid out of State funds is required to take part in any religious instruction or to attend any religious worship). 2. Provisions specific to minorities 8. According to article 30, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Constitution, all religious or linguistic minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. Furthermore, the educational institution of a minority may not be discriminated against when the State grants aid to educational institutions. Under article 29 of the Constitution, citizens have the right to conserve their own language and script. 3. Specific provisions on the abolition of untouchability 9. Article 17 of the Constitution states that untouchability is abolished and that its practise in any form is forbidden and punishable in accordance with the law. To this end, article 35 (a) (ii) confers upon Parliament the exclusive power to make laws for prescribing punishment for those acts which are declared to be offences within the meaning of chapter III of the Constitution. In the exercise of the powers conferred upon it by this article, Parliament has promulgated the Protection of Civil Rights Act. Section III of this Act specifically provides for the punishment of anyone who, on the basis of untouchability, prevents any individual from entering a