________________
not asking for any reservations, which are available to the other backward communities, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes in India under the constitution.
The latest ruling on October 31, 2002 of the 11-Judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India is significant because it redefines the rights of 'minorities' to establish and run educational institutions of their choice. On the question, "who constitutes a minority," the Bench said, "The linguistic and religious minorities have to be considered on the basis of States
and the populations therein as the States were reorganized on the basis of language."
This is an opportune time for the international Jain community to cooperate and come together regardless of the sectarian differences with their Indian Jain brethren to achieve their legitimate constitutional right as a minority.
Jain Education International 2010_03
Bal Patil is a Jain Member of Maharashtra State Minorities Commission, Government of Maharashtra, and Co-author of Jainism (Macmillan 1074) comprising of his translation from French monograph Le Jinisme by Dr. Colette Caillat, ex-Rector, Sorbonne University. Paris.
Best Wishes for a Joyful JAINA 2003 Convention in Cincinnati "Ahimsa is the Eternal Religion"
"Para-us-para-upgraho Jivanam"
(Members and friends of Jain Center of Greater Hartford, Connecticut)
125
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
