State Govts cannot tamper with minority rights: Vayalar Ravi

Kochi, Sep 16 (UNI) Asserting that the right of the minority communities to set up and run educational institutions was guaranteed by the Constitution, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi today said state governments were not open to tamper with this fundamental right.

Inaugurating a seminar here on 'Minorities Rights and Education,' organised by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Minorities Cell, Mr Ravi said the state governments could not sit in judgement upon the status of the minority-run institutions.

''The right of minority communities to set up and run educational institutions for the progress of their communities, is enshrined in the Constitution. This right cannot be tampered with,'' he said.

Even the Supreme Court had in several judgements held that the basic structure of the constitution cannot be changed and fundamental rights were a part of the basic structure of the constitution, he added.

Reiterating the Congress-led UPA Government's commitment to furthering education and progress of the minority communities, he said the Centre had set up the Minority Education Commission to this end.

Referring to the Self-Financing Professional Colleges Regulation Act passed by the Kerala Assembly recently, Mr Ravi said certain provisions of the Act had raised concerns among the minority communities about their rights being infringed upon.

''The LDF Government has taken a negative attitude towards the self-financing professional colleges, including those run by minority groups. Instead of adopting a policy of confrontation, the government should address the concerns of the minority groups through discussions,'' he added.

Former State Education Minister E T Mohammad Basheer was among those present.

UNI ARC ROY PR BS1915