Home > 2007 Issues > August 05, 2007

Statescan Christians in N-E states may lose minority status From Our Correspondent New Delhi: The very concept of minority status may soon change diametrically with the proposed 103rd amendment to the Constitution making minorities like Christians lose their exclusive status in states of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland where they are numerically in majority. Interestingly, Hindus in these states would be treated as minority and enjoy the status, the proposed amendment that is bound to create a storm said. The amendment approved in the Union Cabinet recently is likely to be brought in the coming monsoon session of the Parliament next month, as per the report of the National Commision for Minority Education. The 103rd Constitutional Amendment seeks to have state-wise minority status rather than national status, as is the norm now. Minorities in states will be decided through a presidential notification in consultation with the state government. Incidentally, the National Commission for Minority Education says the amendment will make Christian students from Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland ineligible for admission in Christian colleges like St Stephens, as they will not have domicile minority status. Likewise, Sikhs from Punjab and Muslims from J&K will not have minority status. Christian-run institutions in Kerala and other states may also lose their minority tag. Commission Chairperson, MMA Siddique has written to HRD Minister Arjun Singh and Minority Affairs Minister A.R. Antulay saying the constitutional amendment that the Cabinet approved in May first week is against the spirit of Article 30 of the Constitution. Articles 25 to 30 guarantee protection of religious, cultural and educational rights to both majority and minority communities. Meanwhile, the All India Catholic Union, the All India Christian Council and the United Christian Action have reacted strongly to the decision of the Center and decided to go ahead with a national consultation on the issue in collaboration with major organisations of other religious minorities. This decision of Cabinet had serious ramifications for all denominations of Christians in every part of the country as it had for Muslims, and indeed even for Sikhs. ?The cabinet decision if made law would take away minority status from the Christian community in Goa, Kerala, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram, seriously compromising activities in education,? Dr John Dayal, leader of the Christian Unions said. He appreciated the views of the Commisison and wanted wider consultations all over the country over this very important issue. Another provision gives Parliament the final say in the matter of defining ?minorities?. Parliament will be empowered to enact laws to include or exclude any section of citizens from the list of minorities, Dr Dayal said in a statement.

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