Indian Catholics Fear Madrassa Ruling Will Affect Church Schools

The Catholic Herald (UK) ^ | 1/12/20 | CNS

[marshmallow]

Court grants government control over appointment of teachers in minority-run schools

India’s Supreme Court has allowed the government to control the appointment of teachers in educational institutions run by religious minorities, a ruling Church leaders say violates their right to manage such institutions.

Ucanews.org reported that the country’s top court upheld a West Bengal state law that allowed a government commission to screen candidates to be appointed as teachers in government-funded madrassas (Muslim religious schools).

“The order definitely will have a bearing in the administration of church-run education institutions, too,” said Salesian Fr Joseph Manipadam, secretary to the Indian Catholic bishops’ office for education and culture.

The January 6 verdict came while deciding on an appeal challenging a provision in the West Bengal Madrasah Service Commission Act 2008, which said the government panel could screen teachers to be appointed to state-aided madrassas. The schools were declared minority education institutions in West Bengal state, like thousands of Christian schools in the country.

The Indian Constitution allows religious and linguistic minorities to establish and manage educational institutions of their choice to help with the social advancement of their people.

[IndianChief]

The article clearly states that the ruling applies to gov’t funded schools only. The obvious solution would be to get off the Gov’t money . They evidently were having it both ways.