BAL PATIL vs U.O.I.

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of minority status for the Jain community under Section 2(c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. The Court held that the determination of minority status is primarily a state matter, as clarified in the TMA Pai Foundation case, where it was established that linguistic and religious minorities are to be considered on a state-wise basis. The Court emphasized that while the Central Government has a role, it cannot evade its statutory duty to notify communities at the national level, especially when some states have already recognized Jains as a minority.