Context:
CJI to deliver verdicts on Aligarh Muslim University’s minority status
AMU originally established by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875. Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College became Aligarh Muslim University in 1920, following the Aligarh Muslim University Act.
National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions:
- Established under National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) Act, 2004
- Enacted to safeguard the educational rights of minorities as per Article 30(1).
- Article 30(1) of the Constitution – Grants linguistic and religious minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
- A quasi-judicial body with Civil Court powers.
- Roles –
- Adjudicatory – Decides on the status of Minority Educational Institutions (MEIs).
- Advisory – Provides guidance on minority educational rights.
- Recommendatory – Suggests actions to protect minority educational rights.
- Powers –
- Decides questions related to the status of MEIs.
- Acts as an appellate authority for disputes on Minority Status/No Objection Certificate (NOC).
- Can cancel minority status granted by other authorities.
- Calls for information and conducts enquiries into complaints of rights violations.
- Recommends disciplinary actions if educational rights are violated.
- Parliamentary Paramountcy – NCMEI Act, being a Central law, prevails over State laws.
- State Governments cannot alter the Act through executive instructions.
- Legal Protections – No court, except the Supreme Court and High Courts under Articles 226 and 227, can entertain proceedings against Commission orders.
- Legal immunity for actions done in good faith under the NCMEI Act.
Minorities in India:
- The term “Minority” is not defined in the Indian Constitution.
- However, the Constitution recognizes religious and linguistic minorities.
- 6 notified religious minority communities – Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, and Jain.
Source: The Tribune
Previous Year Question
According to the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the President of India to be laid before the Parliament which of the following?
1. The Recommendations of the Union Finance Commission
2. The Report of the Public Accounts Committee
3. The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General
4. The Report of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2012 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (c)