Legal Cell for Human Rights (LCHR) an NGO has recently approached the Assam State Minority Commission for pursuing the matter with the state government. "A total of 118 applications from various schools in Assam run by missionaries are so far pending with the educational (Secondary) department for issuance of certificates," said LCHR director Ravi Sagar.
The LCHR has been authorized by the Christian Missionary run schools in the state to take up the matter with the State Minority Commission. "The applications are pending for more than a year now. This is not only a harassment but also violation of Article 30 (1) of the Constitution," said Sagar. He added that almost all the 350 schools run by Christian missionaries in Assam had been suffering due to non-cooperation by the government department concerned.
"If the department concerned can't issue minority status certificates, it should reject our applications. But it is is neither issuing us the papers nor rejecting our pleas. We can approach the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions for the same if it rejects our applications," said Sagar.
It may be mentioned here that the vice-chairman of National Commission for Minorities, HT Sangliana, had expressed concern over non-issuance of minority status certificates to educational institutions during his visit to the state in May.
He had suggested that the state minority commission should be involved in issuing them.
When contacted, sources in the state minority commission here said the commission has received several complaints. "We are inquiring into the matter," said a source.
