Read Time: 03 minutes

A Supreme Court bench of Justices Nageshwar Rao and Gavai issued notice in an SLP challenging the order of Kerala High Court quashing the government's scheme to provide minority scholarship to Muslims and Christians in 80:20 ratio. The bench has also issued notice on the application seeking stay of the high court's order.

The Kerala High Court on 28th May quashed the minority scholarship scheme of the State providing scholarships to Muslims and Christians in the ratio of 80:20. The high court had directed the government to distribute minority scholarships to notified minorities in proportion to the population taking the latest census into account. The high court further observed that all the minorities must be treated equally.

Chandar Uday Singh, Senior Advocate, appearing for the petitioner briefly explained the matter before the bench decided to issue notice. It is to be noted that there are 2 petitions filed challenging the order of the Kerala High Court one filed by  and the other Mujahid Students Movement (MSM) and another by Minority Indians Planning and Vigilance Commission Trust notice was issued on both the petitions and on applications for stay as well.

Harees Beeran, Advocate, appearing for one of the Petitioner argued that the scheme had been implemented 13 years prior to the high court quashing it and that many students benefitted from it, hence the order needs to be stayed. The bench however declined to entertain this argument and proceeded to issue notice in the application for stay as well as the main Special Leave Petition (SLP).

Case title: Minority Indians Planning and Vigilance Commission Trust Vs Justine Pallivathukkal & Ors