Q. Consider the following statements:
1.Minority institutions in India are exempted from reserving seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
2.The presence of religious instruction or religious building in an institution is a key factor for determining an institution’s minority status.
3.Article 30(1) also applies to educational institutions established before the Constitution’s adoption.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
Explanations –
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Minority educational institutions (both religious and linguistic) are exempted from the requirement to provide reservations for SCs and STs under Article 15(5) of the Indian Constitution. Article 30(1) applies to educational institutions established both before and after the adoption of the Constitution. The Supreme Court has ruled that no distinction should be made between institutions based on when they were established.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The presence of religious instruction or religious buildings, such as churches or mosques, is not a determining factor for an institution’s minority status. The Supreme Court has clarified that these elements are not necessary indicators of minority character.
Source: The Hindu
