Allahabad: Use of the omnibus term "Hindu" for a majority of Indians has come under scrutiny in the Allahabad High Court with a judge stating that a specific definition of the region is required.
The observation came on a petition filed by one Phool Chand Yadav of Kushinagar claiming minority status for an educational institution run by him on the grounds it belonged to Buddhists, whose population was below 50 per cent.
"The questions needing consideration are what is the definition of the religion? Whether Hindus are members of one religion or a combination of various religious groups born and brought up in India from time to time," Justice S N Srivastava observed.
He said there were "Buddhists, Jains, Arya Samajis, Brahmo Samajis, Lingayats, Shakts, Shaivites, followers of ISKCON, Sikhs Kabir panthis, followers of sankaracharyas, Ramanujacharyas and also other groups".
Srivastava said the question arose whether all religions born and practised in India could be clubbed under Hinduism and "if yes, how has the government made a notification declaring Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains as religious minority groups".
He said the other "religious groups born and brought up in India if taken separately might be treated as minority in comparison to Muslims" whose population was 18.6 per cent.
The judge said these questions required consideration in the historical background of the census from 1851 to 1941 during British rule.
The judge, who heard the petition on March 16, has posted the matter for further hearing tomorrow.
Source : PTI
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