Jains to be Given Minority Status

August 6, 2006

Source: The Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1860074.cms

On August 6, 2006 The Times of India reported, "Union Minister for Minority Affairs A R Antulay on Sunday said that the Jain religion would be given minority status only after attaining consensus between both the sects within the religion. 'I am working towards bringing a consensus between Digamber and Shvetamber sects. I have had meeting with them and soon, we will be able to notify Jains as minority,' he told reporters this evening. The Union minister said there is no specific deadline set on the notification giving Jains a minority status. Critical about the way the word 'minority' is considered in India, Antulay said the word has been 'abused' a lot. 'As per Constitution of India, there are two kinds of minorities -- religious and linguistic. Religious minorities contribute to 29.5 per cent of population. Even Hindus in Kashmir, Punjab and north-east are considered as minorities,' Antulay said."