In a recent turn of events, a plea challenging the minority status of Jamia Milia Islamia, a renowned central university, has been withdrawn from the Supreme Court.
The petitioner had approached the apex court, questioning the validity of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) order which granted minority status to Jamia Milia Islamia. The central contention of the plea was,
“How can a central university, funded by the Central Government, be granted a minority status?”
However, during the proceedings, the petitioner chose to withdraw the plea. The Bench, while acknowledging the withdrawal, remarked,
“The petitioner has the liberty to approach the appropriate forum.”
Jamia Milia Islamia’s minority status has been a subject of debate and legal scrutiny for some time. The university, established in 1920, was granted minority status by the NCMEI in 2011. This status allows the institution to reserve up to 50% of its seats for Muslim students.
Legal experts opine that the minority status of educational institutions is a sensitive issue, often intersecting with the broader discourse on minority rights and educational autonomy in India.
With the plea’s withdrawal, the current status of Jamia Milia Islamia remains unchanged. However, the debate surrounding the minority status of central universities, especially those funded by the government, continues to be a topic of discussion in legal and academic circles.