The central government has told the Supreme Court that welfare schemes for religious minority communities are legally valid and are focused on reducing inequality. The Modi government has also said in the court that this does not violate the rights of Hindus or other communities.
The top court is hearing a plea which has said that religion cannot be the basis of welfare schemes. The Center, in its affidavit filed in the court, said that the schemes being run by the government focused on reducing inequality among minority communities, improving the quality of education, participation in employment, efficiency and enterprise development, plugging gaps in civic facilities or infrastructure. Huh.
“These schemes are not contrary to the principles of equality enshrined in the Constitution,” the affidavit said. These schemes are legally valid as they make such provisions so as to achieve an inclusive environment and remove disability. Therefore, helping the disadvantaged/deprived children/candidates of minority communities through these schemes cannot be said to be wrong.
The Center said that the welfare schemes are only for weaker sections/deprived children/candidates/women/ from minority communities and not for all persons belonging to minority communities. Petitioners Neeraj Shankar Saxena and five others have said in their petition that welfare schemes cannot be run on the basis of religion.
