At least two 'terrorists' involved in Reasi attack: J&K police

“The view taken in the 1967 Azeez Basha case that an educational institution is not established by a minority if it derives its legal character through a statute is overruled,” ruled the Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud-led Constitution Bench.

It added that a regular Bench should decide the question of the minority status of AMU and correctness of the 2006 decision passed by the Allahabad High Court, striking down the 1981 amendment conferring minority status on the varsity, in view of the principles laid down in its latest judgment.

The majority opinion, concurred by Justices Sanjiv Khanna, J.B. Pardiwala, Manoj Misra, and SC Sharma, said that the regulation of minority educational institutions is permissible under Article 19(6), however, those regulations should not impinge upon the minority character of the institution.

It said, “Regulations, which may be justified on grounds stipulated under Articles 19(6) and 26, may fall foul to Article 30 if they infringe upon the minority character of the institution. This is a special right/protection which the Constitution guarantees to minority educational institutions.”

The majority opined that Article 30 guarantees minority educational institutions the right not to be discriminated and in fact, Article 30(2) is the facet of the non-discrimination of minorities.

It further said, “An educational institution established by any citizen can be regulated under Article 19(6). An educational institution established by a religious denomination without any element of profit can be regulated on grounds of public order, morality and health. As opposed to these two provisions, Article 30 does not circumscribe the right on any grounds. However, the right guaranteed under Article 30 is not absolute.”

Justices Surya Kant, J.B. Pardiwala, Dipankar Datta and SC Sharma wrote separate and dissenting opinions.

In February this year, the seven-judge Constitution Bench, reserved its decision after finishing hearing of the oral arguments advanced by Attorney General R. Venkataramani and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the senior law officers representing the Centre and senior advocates Rajiv Dhawan, Kapil Sibal, and others, appearing for the appellants.

The Constitution Bench was dealing with a reference arising out of the 2006 decision passed by the Allahabad High Court, striking down the 1981 amendment conferring minority status on the institution.

The Parliament, by virtue of the Aligarh Muslim University (Amendment) Act, 1981 conferred minority status on the institution after a five-judge Constitution Bench in the 1967 Azeez Basha case had laid down that AMU, being a Central university, cannot claim to be a minority institution.

(IANS)

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The election procedure for the two posts of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) was successfully completed and the results were announced on Thursday. 

While announcing the results, the Election Officer and special invitee member to the National Executive Committee of ABVP, Prof. (Dr.) Prashant Sathe, stated that both the office bearers will assume their responsibility during the 70th ABVP National Conference scheduled to be held in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh on November 22, 23 and 24.

Prof. (Dr.) Rajsharan Shahi hails originally from Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh. He holds a PhD in Education. Presently, he serves as a Professor and the Head of the Department of Education as well as the Dean of the School of Education at the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. He has authored and edited six books thus far. To date, more than 112 of his research papers and articles have been published in various national & international research journals and seminars. His articles have been featured in the newspapers on subjects related to education. He has been an Associate at the prestigious Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla. In 2017, he was awarded the Yogiraj Baba Gambhir Nath Gold Medal for Best Teacher by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He is a member of various important committees in Uttar Pradesh related to educational reforms and implementation of the National Education Policy. 

Dr Virendra Singh Singh Solanki hails originally from Udaynagar in Dewas District, near Indore, Madhya Pradesh. He completed his MBBS from Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS), Indore. Currently, he is serving as an Allopathic Medical Officer at the Government Autonomous Ashtanga Ayurved College and Hospital, Indore in a part-time capacity. He is also a NEET-PG aspirant in the current academic session. He has been active in ABVP since 2014. Through 'MeDeVision' - an initiative of ABVP for allopathy students, he has provided national leadership to medical and dental students and has played a pivotal role in resolving their key concerns. Through a family-run clinic, he is providing the service of medical consultation and distribution of medicines to the deprived sections of our society at low costs. 

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In a post on X, Kashmir Zone Police informed about the development and said, "Two terrorists have been neutralised in Sopore encounter. Identification and affiliation is being ascertained. Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition recovered. Further details shall follow."

The Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a joint operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla on Thursday after observing terrorists' suspicious activity, the army said.

"A joint anti-terrorist operation was launched by Police and security forces based on a specific input regarding the presence of terrorists in Panipora of Sopore area in Baramulla. During the search operation, an exchange of fire took place," said the Kashmir police.

The Army said that on being challenged terrorists opened indiscriminate fire, adding that the operation is in progress.

"On November 7, 2024, based on specific intelligence regarding presence of terrorists, a joint Operation launched by the Indian Army and @JmuKmrPolice in Panipura, Sopore, Baramulla. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and on being challenged terrorists opened indiscriminate fire. Own troops effectively retaliated. Operation is in progress," Chinar Corps of the Indian Army posted on X earlier.

There has been a spike in terrorist activity in Jammu and Kashmir with the security forces engaging encounters with them.

An Encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the general area Margi, Lolab, Kupwara, an official said on Wednesday morning.

In another development, security forces eliminated one terrorist in Bandipora on Wednesday.

Earlier on Tuesday, a joint operation was launched by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF in the general area of Chuntawadi Kaitsan, Bandipora after an encounter broke out between Security Forces and terrorists.

In another development on Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir police along with 22RR and 92 BN of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) apprehended one terrorist associate identified as Ashiq Hussain Wani who is a resident of Tujar Shareef in J-K's Sopore, said police.

On November 3, twelve people, including one woman, were injured in a grenade attack at the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) and weekly market in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar on Sunday, police said.

On November 2, two terrorists were killed by security forces during an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. The encounter broke out after security forces initiated an anti-terrorist operation in the Halkan Gali area.

On October 29, the security forces neutralised three terrorists in a high-stakes encounter in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir, following an attack on an Army convoy.

On October 20, a doctor and six construction workers were killed when terrorists attacked a tunnel construction site on the Srinagar-Leh national highway in the Ganderbal district. 

(ANI)

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