NEW DELHI, INDIA, April 3, 2002: In a recognition of their separate identity, the Constitution Review Commission has recommended that Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism should be treated as religions distinct from Hinduism. Presently, a constitutional provision groups them together. The existing explanation II of Article 25 of the Constitution (Freedom of Conscience and Free Profession, Practice and Propagation of Religion) says reference to Hindus shall be construed as including a reference to persons professing Sikh, Jaina or Buddhist religion, and the reference to Hindu religious institutions shall be construed accordingly. “Explanation II to Article 25 should be omitted,” according to Justice M. N. Venkatachalian Commission, which submitted its report to the government on Sunday. It appears such a change would allow Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists to claim minority religion status in India, presently only granted to Christians and Muslims, with the attendant privileges to operate their institutions without government interference, and to teach their religion in their schools operated with government funds.
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