AITC MP wants minority status for Hindus in Meghalaya

NEW DELHI, April 1: Citing the Centre’s assertion in the Supreme Court that states can consider granting Hindus minority status if they deem so, Trinamool Congress MP Shanta Chhetri on Friday demanded in the Rajya Sabha that the community be granted minority status in Meghalaya.
Raising the issue during the zero Hour in the Upper House, Chhetri said the Centre has told the Supreme Court that states can consider granting Hindus the minority status if the community is not in a majority within their jurisdiction.
If Hindus are in minority in a particular state they should be able to establish and administer educational institution of their choice in keeping with the rights granted to the minority by the Constitution as per the Centre, she said.
“I humbly urge the August House to draw the kind attention of the Home Minister to urgently direct the Meghalaya government to grant minority status to Hindus via a notification as per Article 29 and 30 of the Constitution of India,” Chhetri said.
As per the 2011 Census, the population of Hindus in Meghalaya is 3,42,078 which constitutes 11.53% of the total population of 29,66,889. (PTI)