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Christian and Muslim schools in Tamil Nadu may be in trouble for having remained closed for a day last week to protest against the state government's ordinance [Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2002] banning forcible conversions.
The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that government-aided minority educational institutions are subject to government rules.
The Tamil Nadu government had given specific directions to minority institutions in the state against obeying the call given by minority community leaders and priests. But the managements defied the state government by closing the schools.
Subsequently, the government issued a show-cause notice asking them why aid to these institutions should not be stalled or the institutions taken over.
Last week, the Madras high court adjourned for two months hearing in a case initiated by the state Bharatiya Janata Party questioning the propriety and legality of the protest closure. But a division bench of the court, while not staying the closure, observed that it did not have legal sanction, nor was it in the students' interest.
After the Supreme Court's latest verdict, the closure issue could boomerang on the managements when the state government follows up on its show-cause notice or the high court resumes hearing the pending case.
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