A 2008 court judgment has brought renewed focus on the provisions given to minority institutions in choosing their heads, amid a fresh tussle between Delhi University and St Stephen's College over the appointment of the college principal.
The Supreme Court of India has referred the matter of the Right to Education (RTE) Act's applicability to minority schools to a larger bench for adjudication, expressing concerns about potential misuse and fragmentation of the education system.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has appealed to the United Nations to intervene on behalf of religious minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh, citing human rights violations.
On February 1, grappling with the intractable issue of the AMU's minority status, the top court said the 1981 amendment to the AMU Act, which effectively accorded it a minority status, only did a "half-hearted job" and did not restore the institution the position it had prior to 1951.
Delhi University has instructed St Stephen's College to halt the appointment of a new principal, citing that the selection committee was not formed in accordance with the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2018.
It said AMU is not and cannot be a university of any particular religion or religious denomination as any university which has been declared an institution of national importance cannot be a minority institution.
A senior Maharashtra government official has been removed from his post following allegations of irregularities in granting minority status to 75 educational institutions after the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. An inquiry has been ordered to investigate the matter.
It noted that Article 15(5) of the Constitution does not empower the State to compel a minority educational institution to admit students from the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or Backward Classes of citizens.
'...appearing culturally coercive or administratively vindictive.' 'If it governs as a conquering force, resistance will build.'
'Cyberbullying has become extremely worrisome now, with several complaints being received from schools.'
Delhi Police have busted an organised racket that allegedly duped NEET aspirants and their families by promising guaranteed MBBS admissions, arresting four people including the suspected mastermind and a doctor. Eighteen students were rescued from the alleged fraudsters.
The Supreme Court has taken exception to AIIMS' plea to set aside its order allowing a 15-year-old rape survivor to terminate her 30-week pregnancy, urging the Centre to amend the law to permit abortion beyond 20 weeks in such cases.
Why it does not give reservation to the SC/ST communities? Asks the department.
'You sat for the exam. You experienced the environment -- the pressure, the time constraints, the pattern of questions, where you were strong, where you struggled. That experience is invaluable. No amount of coaching can replicate that.'
'If the Opposition associates itself too much with the minorities, then it becomes easy for the BJP to get Hindu consolidation votes.'
'This is a major rupture in Tamil Nadu's political order.' 'For the Dravidian parties, the message is clear: The old DMK-AIADMK binary is no longer guaranteed a future.'
A teenager in Ranchi, Jharkhand, has been arrested along with her boyfriend for allegedly murdering her mother after she refused to give her money. The girl confessed to the crime, stating she suffocated her mother with a pillow with the help of her boyfriend and his friends.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged suicide of a minor girl in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, following allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation by her teacher, prompting a police investigation and calls for increased safety measures in schools.
The Karnataka government on Friday decided to exempt religious and linguistic minority institutions from the ambit of Right to Education laws if they have 75 per cent of strength belonging these sections.
The BJP's landslide victory in West Bengal has not merely redrawn the electoral map but overturned the operating logic of politics in the state, breaching the TMC's entrenched fortress despite a decade-and-a-half of dominance, minority consolidation, and a sustained "outsider" narrative.
The BJP must respect Bengal's pluralistic ethos and with this historic mandate give the state the constructive change it truly deserves, expects Kolkata native Payal Singh Mohanka.
Uttarakhand Governor approves the Uttarakhand Minority Education Bill 2025, abolishing the Madrasa Board and establishing a uniform law for all minority educational institutions.
Lok Sabha takes up FCRA Amendment Bill amid opposition protests.
The Congress party has directed its MPs to attend Parliament and protest against the FCRA Amendment Bill, describing it as unconstitutional and a threat to minority organisations. The government asserts the bill aims to enhance transparency and prevent misuse of foreign funds.
Minority education institutions may soon be exempt from the Right to Education in the country.
Asserting that Aligarh Muslim University is not a minority institution, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Saturday said the varsity is committing a "big crime" by not implementing the policy of reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs.
Kerala's voters are sophisticated, educated, and unforgiving. They have once again made it clear that no government is entitled to remain in power. The Congress would do well to remember this, points out Ramesh Menon.
A clash between two groups at a gurdwara in Moers, Germany, resulted in injuries to four people and prompted a large-scale police response.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has accused the CPI(M)-led LDF in Kerala of striking a secret deal with the BJP for the upcoming Assembly elections, alleging suppression of dissent and targeting of minorities by both the state and central governments.
'A genuine tribute to Dr Ambedkar does not lie in selective invocation. It lies in asking a harder question: Is the Constitution still doing its job -- restraining even assertive majorities?' asks Manoj Mohanka.
"Can a university itself be termed as a minority institution," the SC asked during the hearing of a plea seeking a direction to quash the appointment of AMU vice-chancellor Lt Gen (Retd) Zameeruddin Shah.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused the TMC of opposing the SIR exercise to protect its vote bank of infiltrators, alleging that unchecked illegal immigration under its rule in West Bengal has altered the demography of many areas.
The Supreme Court has directed the Delhi government to assess the well-being of a child in a disputed paternity case, ensuring access to basic necessities and a minimum standard of living.
A BJP government in Bengal inherits more problems than it might care to admit at its moment of triumph, points out Ramesh Menon
Normal life in Odisha's Rairangpur area was disrupted due to a bandh called by the Mayurbhanj Adivasi Ekata Manch, protesting the arrest of 34 tribals following a clash with police during a protest on March 13. The bandh was supported by several political parties and tribal organisations, affecting shops, transport, and educational institutions.
The CBI has registered an FIR to investigate the alleged embezzlement of 550 crore from Haryana government accounts held with IDFC First Bank, following a referral from the state government.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant cautioned against the uncritical adoption of AI in the judiciary, emphasising the need for human judgement and ethical considerations in judicial decision-making.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has cautioned against the uncritical adoption of Artificial Intelligence in the judiciary, emphasising the need to balance technological advancements with human intellect and ethical considerations.
The Maharashtra government is facing criticism after an acid attack on a Class 6 girl student in Sangamner. The Congress party has slammed the government in the legislative assembly, alleging a deterioration in law and order in the state. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of women and girls in Maharashtra.
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