New Delhi: Muslims are unable to open educational institutions and a commission should be set up to address the issue, Minorities Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan said.
Khan said this was a right promised in the Constitution. He demanded that the government take legislative and administrative measures to ensure that no roadblocks are put in place by authorities as denial of this Constitutional right to Muslims was a major reason for their educational backwardness.
"For 66 years (after Independence), though the right was there, no substantive legislations were enacted. Just because something is in Constitution, you do not get it. Acts, rules should be there," Khan told PTI, speaking about Article 30 of the Constitution, which bestows on minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions.
Khan said educational backwardness is the biggest handicap Muslims are facing.
"A commission has to be set up to see how these Constitutional right given to minorities under Article 30 could be enjoyed by them in letter and spirit. Every time a right is asked, we have to go to court," he said.
Khan said that Muslims are the most disadvantaged lot among all religious minorities and if any affirmative action is required for minorities it is required more for Muslims.
The minister said that laws can be enacted to prevent authorities from stopping the opening of educational institutions.
"Bureaucrats ask you to bring NoC, bring that certificate and the end result is that you can't open the school or college," he said.
Khan had recently written a letter to Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, underlining the poor socio-economical condition of Muslims and the need for reservation.
"I have to apprise the party hierarchy about the problems of the minorities," he said.
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