The centre has again sought time from the Court to decide on demands to grant minority status to Hindus in states where their numbers are less than other communities. It said that the matter was sensitive.
The Union Government told the Supreme Court that though the power is vested with the Central Government to notify minorities , the stand to be formulated by the Central Government with regard to issues raised in the group of petitions will be finalized after having a wide consultation with the State Governments and other stakeholders.
A plea has been filed in the Meghalaya High Court seeking directions from the government to define ‘minority’ & frame guidelines for their identification at the state level, in a spirit of the provision of Article 29 and 30 of the Constitution of India and the judgment of the apex court in TMA Pai case.