resentment is brewing within the community.
INDIA'S BEST COLLEGES, INSTITUTES and UNIVERSITIES
By virtue of their scope and nature, minority institutions should serve the interests of the needy and deserving from within the communities in whose name they exist. But if a decision of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), made public on July 6, is a pointer, the raison d''tre of these schools and colleges could face severe dilution.
NCMEI has categorically said that reserving a quota for minority community students in these institutions would not be a good idea. The statement is worded thus: 'Identifying criteria of a minority educational institution based on bulk or majority of admission to a minority community or on the basis of ratio of admission of students belonging to minority community fixed by the State Government would be unreasonable, impractical and unworkable'' The decision of the Commission, though it is bound by constitutional provisions, could pave the way for further commercialisation of education in the name of minorities.
Though the decision is equally applicable to other minorities such as Sikhs, Muslims and Parsis, the Catholic church is probably the happiest. The church had opposed NCMEI's reported move to fix a quota for minority students in these educational institutions to help them maintain their minority status. The church had even registered its protest to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
It is not difficult to understand why the Catholic church upped the ante against NCMEI simply on the basis of a newspaper report. PN Benjamin, member of the Karnataka Minority Commission, while talking to TSI, says: 'The church does not want to lose its grip on the government. They utilise all the resources of the government and take many benefits in the name of minorities but do not act in the best interests of the minorities.'
When TSI contacted MSA Siddiqui, chairman, NCMEI, he explained: 'I never issued any order regarding fixing a cap or quota. Newspapers misquoted me and I suddenly found myself caught in a maelstrom of criticism.' Minority report The church, on its part, is now drawing flak from several quarters. Human rights activist Joseph Gathia says: 'The church has become autocratic. It wants constitutional rights but does not want to fulfil its duties. If it derives benefits in the name of minorities, its first responsibility is towards that community.'
Anand Bernard, retired member of the Madhya Pradesh Minority Commission, is even more vocal against the attitude of the church. He says: 'The church earns huge profits through these schools. In Madhya Pradesh alone, the income is estimated to be around Rs 600 crore. This money should be spent on the welfare of the minorities. There are world class educational institutions such as XLRI, St Stephen's, Christian Medical College, Vellore, etc. Why doesn't the church allow candidates within their own community to be admitted to these colleges? The church lacks transparency. Do they have elected bodies similar to the SGPC or the Waqf Board?'
The NCMEI volte-face hasn't, however, sparked a similar debate among Muslims and Sikhs. But in Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia there is growing resentment among students as the perception is that these institutions have not really served the purpose that they were designed for. Mohd Illiyas Malik, convenor of the Jamia Minority Status Coordination Committee, says, 'Muslim students are not getting full benefit. The situation will improve only when the university is granted minority status. In professional courses, the number of Muslims is minimal.' This certainly isn't the end of the conflict, especially within the Christian community. Disgruntlement is brewing in the community as the church continues to insist that minority institutions should retain their 'open' character. That clearly, and understandably, appears to be the minority view among Christian activists at this juncture.
With inputs from Nadeem Ahmad Minority report 'Support the deserving'
R L Francis, Dalit Christian leader
Why do you oppose the NCMEI decision?
It will result in more commercialisation of these education. Missionary schools will turn into teaching shops.
Why is the church against fixing a quota for minorities?
If quota is fixed how will they be able to oblige bureaucrats and politicians?
Their purpose is not to take care of the welfare of the community but to maintain their clout. Whenever someone tries to tame the church, he has to pay. Take the example of the EMS Namboodiripad government, which was also the first democratically elected Communist government in the world. It was sacked by Jawaharlal Nehru as the church feared the Communist government would take control of their institutions.
What is wrong if the church establishes schools that benefit other communities as well?
St Thomas School, Ghaziabad, has 1500 students. Only 50 of these students are Christians. About 15 per cent urban Christians and 40 per cent rural Christians are uneducated. The church should help them.
Do you have support from inside the community?
No. What can be expected from people like Rev. Walson Thampu? He talks about Dalit Christian rights when he is part of the Rangnath Mishra Commission but tries to block the entry of Dalit Christians when he becomes principal of St Stephen's. Minority report 'Can't compromise quality'
Babu Joseph, Spokesperson, Catholic Bishop Conference of India
Why are you opposing quota for your own community?
This is against Article 30(1) of the Constitution. The Christian population in India is just 2 per cent of the whole, and these are scattered all over the country. Wherever they are they have a right to preserve their religion and culture.
Why do you charge such high fees?
Take the example of St Columba's of Delhi. Its fee is still way below other schools of the same category. Similar is the situation with other institutions.
You have world class institutions. Why don't you give admission to poor Christians?
We cannot compromise with quality. Allegations of high capitation fees are simply misplaced.
The Waqf Board and Tirupati Balaji management committee are elected bodies. Why does the church oppose transparency?
Most of these institutions are registered under Trust Act or Societies Act. The church does not fall in this category.
Do you file income tax returns? Do you have audited balance sheets of income and expenses?
Yes, we have.
Why are they not in the public domain?
These are in the public domain and the balance sheets are open to scrutiny.
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
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INDIA'S BEST COLLEGES, INSTITUTES and UNIVERSITIES
By virtue of their scope and nature, minority institutions should serve the interests of the needy and deserving from within the communities in whose name they exist. But if a decision of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), made public on July 6, is a pointer, the raison d''tre of these schools and colleges could face severe dilution.
NCMEI has categorically said that reserving a quota for minority community students in these institutions would not be a good idea. The statement is worded thus: 'Identifying criteria of a minority educational institution based on bulk or majority of admission to a minority community or on the basis of ratio of admission of students belonging to minority community fixed by the State Government would be unreasonable, impractical and unworkable'' The decision of the Commission, though it is bound by constitutional provisions, could pave the way for further commercialisation of education in the name of minorities.
Though the decision is equally applicable to other minorities such as Sikhs, Muslims and Parsis, the Catholic church is probably the happiest. The church had opposed NCMEI's reported move to fix a quota for minority students in these educational institutions to help them maintain their minority status. The church had even registered its protest to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
It is not difficult to understand why the Catholic church upped the ante against NCMEI simply on the basis of a newspaper report. PN Benjamin, member of the Karnataka Minority Commission, while talking to TSI, says: 'The church does not want to lose its grip on the government. They utilise all the resources of the government and take many benefits in the name of minorities but do not act in the best interests of the minorities.'
When TSI contacted MSA Siddiqui, chairman, NCMEI, he explained: 'I never issued any order regarding fixing a cap or quota. Newspapers misquoted me and I suddenly found myself caught in a maelstrom of criticism.' Minority report The church, on its part, is now drawing flak from several quarters. Human rights activist Joseph Gathia says: 'The church has become autocratic. It wants constitutional rights but does not want to fulfil its duties. If it derives benefits in the name of minorities, its first responsibility is towards that community.'
Anand Bernard, retired member of the Madhya Pradesh Minority Commission, is even more vocal against the attitude of the church. He says: 'The church earns huge profits through these schools. In Madhya Pradesh alone, the income is estimated to be around Rs 600 crore. This money should be spent on the welfare of the minorities. There are world class educational institutions such as XLRI, St Stephen's, Christian Medical College, Vellore, etc. Why doesn't the church allow candidates within their own community to be admitted to these colleges? The church lacks transparency. Do they have elected bodies similar to the SGPC or the Waqf Board?'
The NCMEI volte-face hasn't, however, sparked a similar debate among Muslims and Sikhs. But in Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia there is growing resentment among students as the perception is that these institutions have not really served the purpose that they were designed for. Mohd Illiyas Malik, convenor of the Jamia Minority Status Coordination Committee, says, 'Muslim students are not getting full benefit. The situation will improve only when the university is granted minority status. In professional courses, the number of Muslims is minimal.' This certainly isn't the end of the conflict, especially within the Christian community. Disgruntlement is brewing in the community as the church continues to insist that minority institutions should retain their 'open' character. That clearly, and understandably, appears to be the minority view among Christian activists at this juncture.
With inputs from Nadeem Ahmad Minority report 'Support the deserving'R L Francis, Dalit Christian leader
Why do you oppose the NCMEI decision?
It will result in more commercialisation of these education. Missionary schools will turn into teaching shops.
Why is the church against fixing a quota for minorities?
If quota is fixed how will they be able to oblige bureaucrats and politicians?
Their purpose is not to take care of the welfare of the community but to maintain their clout. Whenever someone tries to tame the church, he has to pay. Take the example of the EMS Namboodiripad government, which was also the first democratically elected Communist government in the world. It was sacked by Jawaharlal Nehru as the church feared the Communist government would take control of their institutions.
What is wrong if the church establishes schools that benefit other communities as well?
St Thomas School, Ghaziabad, has 1500 students. Only 50 of these students are Christians. About 15 per cent urban Christians and 40 per cent rural Christians are uneducated. The church should help them.
Do you have support from inside the community?
No. What can be expected from people like Rev. Walson Thampu? He talks about Dalit Christian rights when he is part of the Rangnath Mishra Commission but tries to block the entry of Dalit Christians when he becomes principal of St Stephen's. Minority report 'Can't compromise quality'
Babu Joseph, Spokesperson, Catholic Bishop Conference of IndiaWhy are you opposing quota for your own community?
This is against Article 30(1) of the Constitution. The Christian population in India is just 2 per cent of the whole, and these are scattered all over the country. Wherever they are they have a right to preserve their religion and culture.
Why do you charge such high fees?
Take the example of St Columba's of Delhi. Its fee is still way below other schools of the same category. Similar is the situation with other institutions.
You have world class institutions. Why don't you give admission to poor Christians?
We cannot compromise with quality. Allegations of high capitation fees are simply misplaced.
The Waqf Board and Tirupati Balaji management committee are elected bodies. Why does the church oppose transparency?
Most of these institutions are registered under Trust Act or Societies Act. The church does not fall in this category.
Do you file income tax returns? Do you have audited balance sheets of income and expenses?
Yes, we have.
Why are they not in the public domain?
These are in the public domain and the balance sheets are open to scrutiny.
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
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A language that divides
Ragging rights and wrongs
Indian universities and higher education institutes seem to be caught in a time warp teaching things
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Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU): Students' Unions can not be banned
The hunt for hostel and paying guest (PG) accommodation for students
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