Karnataka relaxes rules to give minority tag to institutions

Sub : Polity

Sec: Constitution

Context:

The Karnataka government took a significant decision to scrap the requirement of a minimum number of students from a particular minority community for higher educational institutions to be designated as minority institutions.
Previously, to retain the “minority institution” status, such institutions had to ensure that 50% of their students belonged to the minority community.

Implications of the Decision:

The removal of the 50% student quota criterion would increase the number of non-minority students in institutions run by religious minorities, including Christians, Jains, Sikhs, and Parsis.
Many institutions run by religious minorities found it difficult to admit 50% students from their respective communities. This relaxation aims to alleviate that pressure, ensuring the sustainability of such institutions while maintaining their minority status.

Minority Commission Recommendation:

The decision to scrap the student quota criterion was taken in accordance with the National Minority Commission’s recommendation. The Commission had suggested that the requirement was too stringent and impractical for several institutions.

Article 30:

Article 30 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
All minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
State cannot discriminate against any educational institution on the grounds that it is managed by a minority community.