The Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether Sikhs can be a minority group in Punjab. The court was hearing a petition filed challenging a 2007 Punjab and Haryana Court order ruling that Sikhs could not be granted 50% reservation in Sikh educational institutions in Punjab. The plea was filed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which had minority status for Sikhs in its educational institutions between 2001 and 2006.
The apex court on Monday ruled that it needed the Centre’s views on the matter and issued a notice to the Minority Affairs Ministry, along with asking for the Attorney General’s assistance. A Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur said minority status differs from state to state and that several factors needed to be taken into account before a decision was reached. The court's decision is likely to have an impact on other communities as well.
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