CJI to deliver verdicts on AMU’s minority status, validity of Madarsa Act before November 10

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud is expected to deliver several crucial verdicts before demitting office on November 10

 

Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud speaks at an event in Bengaluru,  five working days left before his retirement on November 10, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud is expected to deliver several crucial verdicts, including those on the minority status of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and validity of the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004 and wealth redistribution issue.

Minority status of AMU

After eight days of marathon arguments, a seven-judge Constitution Bench led by CJI Chandrachud had on February 1 reserved its verdict on the minority status of AMU which has been in the eye of the storm since 2006 when the Allahabad High Court struck down a 1981 amendment that declared it a minority institution.

If the Supreme Court finally declared AMU a minority institution, SCs, STs and OBCs will not get reservation in admission. The verdict would set a judicial precedent for a similar legal battle over the status for the Jamia Millia Islamia University, which was declared a minority institution during the UPA government in 2011. The issue was referred to a seven-judge Constitution Bench on February 12, 2019.

Noting that Article 30 of the Constitution was not intended to “ghettoise the minority”, the Bench had on January 11 wondered if it mattered whether AMU was a minority institution or not when it has continued to be an institute of national importance without the minority tag.