In India, if a religious sect/community is given “the status of a national minority, what special advantages is it entitled to?

1. It can establish and administer exclusive educational institutions.

2. The President of India automatically nominates a representative of the community to Lok Sabha.

3. It can derive benefits from the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Solution

Statement 1 is correct : Article 30 of the Indian Constitution states that all minorities shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. Statement 2 is not correct : There was earlier a provision where the President could nominate two members of the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha, if the community was not adequately represented, the Constitution (126th Amendment) Bill, removed this provision. However, there is no such provision for any minority to be nominated to the Lok Sabha. Statement 3 is correct : Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme aims to ensure that the benefits of various government schemes for the underprivileged reach the disadvantaged sections of the minority communities.