According to the petition minority benefits are given to religious communities in certain States where they are in fact a majority, whereas religious communities which are actually minorities in those States are not even given equal status. Likewise, Sikhs are majority in Punjab and there is significant population in Delhi, Chandigarh and Haryana but they are treated as minority,” the petition said. “Muslims are a majority in Lakshadweep (96.20%), Jammu and Kashmir (68.30%) and there is significant population in Assam (34.20%), West Bengal (27.5%), Kerala (26.60%), Uttar Pradesh (19.30%) and Bihar (18%). However, they are enjoying ‘Minority’ status, and communities, which are real minorities, are not getting their legitimate share,” it said. “Denial of minority rights to real minorities and arbitrary/unreasonable disbursement of minority benefits to the majority, infringes upon fundamental right to prohibition of discrimination,” the petition said.

Source: The Hindu July 19, 2019 16:18 UTC