'States yet to comply with SC ruling on minority institutions'

Bangalore, Aug 31 (UNI) The National Minority Commission for Education today regretted that many States were yet to effect the required amendments to their respective education acts to comply with the Supreme Court judgment with regard to minority educational institutions in the country.

Addressing an interactive meeting with the representatives of minority educational institutions in Karnataka here, convened by the Commission, its Chairman Mr Justice M S A Siddiqui said a 11-member Constitutional bench of the Apex Court had delivered an exhaustive judgment with respect to the rights of minorities in running educational institutions. But, several State Governments have not yet constituted a separate mechanism for the smooth implementation of the judgment.

He said under Article 30 of the Constitution, minority organisations were at liberty to start educational institutions, without any restriction from either the Union or State Governments.

The Governments could only prescribe minimum qualification for admissions to such institutions.

Mr Justice Siddiqui said the Article was incorporated to safeguard the fundamental rights of minorities and ensure equality among all citizens with respect to access to education. However, the Commission was flooded with complaints from minority institutions that their rights were being curtailed by the State Governments by imposing several restrictions with regard to recruitment of staff, admission of students and fixation of fees, he added.

Calling upon minorities to be aware of their rights and exercise it for their betterment, he said the Commission was vested with judicial, recommendatory and advisory powers to ensure the rights of minorities in setting up, running and managing educational institutions.

Representatives of various educational institutions and senior State officials were also present.

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