‘Seven States Had Given Jains The Status. Why Not The Centre?’

Union minister for minority affairs K. Rahman Khan explains to Anuradha Raman why the UPA granted minority status to Jains. Excerpts:

In an election year, how does one read the decision to grant Jains minority status?

Seven states have already declared Jains as minorities. We felt there was no reason why the Centre should withhold its decision. I have been holding this portfolio for a little over a year and there have been countless representations from the Jains. The decision has nothing to do with elections. It has been in the works for the last eight months and we took a decision only after the attorney-general spelt out his mind. If that is coincidence, what can we say?

The largely trading community has supported the BJP in the past. Does the UPA think it will support them this time?

We have learnt from experience that it is not easy to change minds (laughs). The decision to award minority status has nothing to do with politics. The Constitution has clearly defined religious and linguistic minorities and the Jains have consistently maintained they are not Hindus.

What are the benefits that come with a minority tag?

Absolutely no tax concessions or reservations in educational institutions. They will be free to run their educational institutes and temples. The act exempts unaided, minority-run educational institutions from implementing RTE (Right to Education) vis-a-vis reservations. The RTE is subject to constitutional provisions regarding minorities. Other than this, the Jains have consistently maintained that they want a separate religious identity and the demand is not linked to social or economic benefits.

Why is the government stepping away from creating a society where citizenship rights are independent of religious identity?

Our country is one that celebrates diversity and this is our strength. We have also under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution given the right to practise and propagate religion, which means there is already a religious identity that is accep­ted. Further, Article 30 provides religious groups the right to establish institutions. To this, Article 15 and 16 state, if a citizen is discriminated against, the government has the right to take affirmative action. It is not possible to have a society free from discrimination, and the government cannot be a silent spectator.

Will this lead to a clamour among other communities for a minority tag?

I do have representations from the Veera Shaivas (Karnataka) and the Bahais. We have to examine them legally.