Jains become sixth minority community

UPA government has accorded minority status to the Jain community. The decision taken by the Union cabinet will benefit about 50 lakh people belonging to the Jain community who would be able to avail benefits in government schemes and programmes.

The Jains have become the sixth community to have minority status after Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis.

Under the Constitution, religious minorities enjoy special rights. For example, under Article 30, they can manage their own educational institutions without interference or opening them up for reservation for students from other communities. They also become eligible for funds under the government’s minority welfare programmes. In India, 15 per cent of all funds under various programmes must be targeted towards minorities.

Jains already enjoy minority status in 11 states. In 2005, the community’s representatives had moved the Supreme Court seeking a similar status nationally, a proposal backed by the National Minorities Commission. However, the top court had left the decision to the Centre.