Karnataka Government Eases Rules for Minority Educational Institutions -

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ABU DHABI:The recent inauguration of the BAPS temple in Abu Dhabi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlights an interesting irony. This grand temple stands in the Muslim-majority UAE, where secularization is on the rise. This event comes shortly after the inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir in India. While Modi’s government in India blurs the lines between the state and Hindu faith and undermines minority rights, the UAE moves in the opposite direction. The UAE’s secularization, influencing Saudi Arabia as well, is a significant development in the Islamic world. This shift challenges India’s secular values. The UAE has attracted people of various religions and backgrounds to live and work there. Despite Islam being the official religion, the government allows diverse religious practices. Non-Muslims, forming a quarter of the population, have space to worship freely, with many churches, a synagogue, and a gurdwara present. Hindu gatherings and celebrations are also welcomed. The UAE’s tolerance extends beyond religion. Alcohol and pork are available, and Ramadan fasting rules are relaxed. Women have freedom in dress, and discrimination based on religion is rare. These progressive attitudes influence neighboring Saudi Arabia, where Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) is spearheading modernization efforts by reducing Islamic influence and cutting support for radical groups worldwide. This trend towards secularization in the UAE and potentially Saudi Arabia marks a significant shift in the Islamic world. For India, reduced Saudi funding for conservative mosques could lead to a return to moderate religious guidance for Indian Muslims. The UAE’s example challenges the Hindu nationalist dream of a Hindu majoritarian state, often compared to Saudi Arabia’s treatment of non-Muslims. Modi, at the temple inauguration, praised the UAE’s diversity, contrasting India’s fading secularism. As Hindu residents in UAE face this contrast, it prompts reflection on India’s trajectory. The writer, a private equity investor, emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity and secular values in both countries.

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BENGALURU: In a significant policy shift, the Karnataka Congress government has amended regulations regarding minority educational institutions, alleviating the burden of mandatory student enrollment quotas based on religious affiliation. The new directive emphasizes the composition of the institution’s management committee, prioritizing representation from under represented communities.

The decision aims to alleviate challenges faced by around 3,000 aided and private religious and linguistic minority schools in the state. The Department of Minority Welfare issued the order on March 16, following the Cabinet’s approval on March 12.

Citing data from the 2011 Census, the government highlighted the difficulty in meeting enrollment quotas due to the relatively low population of minority groups such as Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Parsis. Consequently, the requirement for schools to allocate a specific percentage of seats based on religious affiliation has been removed.

The decision aligns with guidelines from the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions, which prioritize the composition of trustees and the institution’s stated mission over student demographics. This adjustment applies to both existing and newly-established institutions, excluding medical colleges.

Naseer Ahmed, MLC and Chief Minister’s political secretary, played a pivotal role in advocating for these changes, emphasizing the need to relax criteria for declaring educational institutions as religious minority institutions.

Karnataka Government Eases Rules for Minority Educational Institutions

AUTHOR: Islamic Voice

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