The Supreme Court has expressed displeasure over the different stand taken by the central government on the issue of identification of minorities, including Hindus, at the state level. The Supreme Court has directed the central government to consult with the state governments within three months.
Central government's new response
Prior, during the consultation on Monday, the focal government had said that the ability to advise minorities rests with the focal government and any choice in such manner would be taken after conversations with the states and different partners. While the Center had said in March that it really depended on the states and association regions whether to concede minority status to Hindus and different networks where their numbers are less.
A seat of Justices SK Kaul and MM Sundaresh expressed that in such cases an affirmation is recorded that both the Center and the State have abilities. The seat said, "You say that the Center has abilities. In a nation like our own which has such a lot of variety, we see yet one ought to have been more cautious. Everything is in the public space before these testimonies are documented which has its own results. Along these lines, you must be more cautious in what you say.'
The seat, while looking for a status report three days before the meeting, said, "The focal government has stood firm in the prior sworn statement, yet in the most recent testimony, the power is vested with the focal government to recognize the minorities." It is vital that the activity be done as proposed by the Center. Show it on August 30.'
Government asked for three months
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central Government, sought three months' time for discussion with the states. He informed the bench that a meeting was held in this regard in which three ministers of the departments concerned were present along with the secretaries and these issues were discussed.
