By Admin 
The Supreme Court has strongly reprimanded two candidates who were demanding minority reservation in Medical PG by claiming to be Buddhists. The court called it a ‘new type of fraud’. The bench headed by the Chief Justice made this comment when it received information that before the written examination, these candidates had declared themselves to be from the general category and both belong to the prosperous Jat caste of Haryana. The court has also asked tough questions to the Haryana government in this matter.
What is the matter?
Subharti Medical College, Meerut is given reservation for the Buddhist minority community. Nikhil Kumar Punia and Ekta have demanded seats for themselves in NEET PG course in Subharti Medical College. He had also presented a certificate issued by the SDO (Sub Divisional Officer) office claiming to have converted to Buddhism.
What happened in the court?
Chief Justice Surya Kant, himself coming from Haryana, asked the petitioner’s lawyer, ‘Punia surname is written as Jat as well as Scheduled Caste people. Which Punia are you?’ The lawyer replied that his client was a Jat. On this the Chief Justice asked how he became a minority? The lawyer said that he had converted. This is their constitutional right.
Court’s strict comment
The CJI commented on the lawyer’s words, ‘Wow! This is a new method of fraud. You want to take away the rights of real minorities. You belong to one of the most prosperous, privileged and upper caste communities. This community has agricultural land. All facilities are available. You should not take away the rights of those who are truly deprived.
Judge angry over lawyer’s argument
The petitioner’s lawyer, defending, said, ‘We have truly and honestly adopted Buddhism.’ On this the Chief Justice warned, ‘Do not force us to comment further. If such an argument is accepted then everyone will start doing the same. The upper castes will start converting and the rights of the real holders will be violated.
petition rejected
Bench member Justice Joymalya Bagchi also expressed strong objection to the petitioner’s argument. After this, the court rejected the application of the petitioners seeking admission as minority candidates.
Answer sought from Haryana government
After this the court sought answers from the Haryana government on the entire incident. The court said that the Haryana government should provide information about the guidelines related to issuing minority certificates in the state. The government should clarify whether upper caste general category candidates can obtain minority certificate by claiming to have adopted Buddhism? The court has asked the state government to file a detailed report within 2 weeks.
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