Govt.'s stand on minority status of universities not contrary to act of Parliament: Irani

Union Human Resource and Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani on Sunday backed the Centre's stand on the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), saying the government's stand is not contrary to the act of Parliament.

"The Government of India is taking a stand and this stand is not contrary to act of Parliament, it is not contrary to the stand taken by previous UPA government," Irani told the media here.

Refraining to comment on a sub-judice matter, Irani said the universities have been established in the country by an active Parliament.

Irani further said that the establishment of a university by an active Parliament is secular in nature.

"But under the reservation act, it also secures the Rights of Dalit, OBC, SC and ST children," she added.

The issue of restoration of minority character of AMU is at present pending with the Supreme Court but what has triggered off the protests is the Centre's recent decision to reverse the UPA regime's stand of supporting the university in the apex court on this issue.

On January 11, Attorney Journal Mukul Rohatagi, during the hearing of this case, had told the court that the NDA government did not support the idea of a state-funded minority institution in a secular state, sparking off a controversy.