Minority Status Sought for Hindus in Punjab and Seven Indian States
Posted: 12 Jun 2019 08:49 AM PDTNEW DELHI—Following the Supreme Court’s direction to the National Commission for Minorities to define who is qualified as a minority, representatives of the Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samaj (ABSS) have demanded minority status to Hindus living in eight states – including Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Nagaland. In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ABSS representatives have sought minority status for Hindus in 8 regions. This status would provide financial assistance and protection to the Hindus.
The Supreme Court of India had asked the Minorities Commission to define the term minorities and lay down guidelines for their identification at the state level within three months. The Centre Government had also granted scholarships to Muslim students on the basis of being a minority on the occasion of Eid.
In a letter to the PM Modi and the Centre government, ABSS representatives have asked to clarify the definition of minorities and sought a similar pretext for Hindus living in regions where their population is low. These regions include Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Lakshadweep.
“Hindus have been deprived of minority status and assistance in these regions,” the press release stated.
Swami Jitendraanand Saraswati of ABSS stated that it was unconstitutional to grant minority status to Muslims. He asked the Centre government to take back benefits and scholarships or declare the Hindus living in 8 regions of India to be also given the same benefits. The saint further alleged that in December 1992, for the first time by the Congress government constituted the  Minority Commission in the Parliament and it was against the basic concept of the Constitution. He further asked,”Who is the minority in India?”