In Brief
Minority educational institutions challenged High Court judgments restricting their freedom to appoint Headmasters/Principals. The Supreme Court held that minority institutions possess absolute constitutional rights under Article 30(1) to appoint persons of their choice as administrative heads, provided they are qualified and belong to the minority community, regardless of seniority of other teachers. The Court also clarified that government declaration of minority status merely recognizes pre-existing status and has retrospective effect. Additionally, the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions possesses jurisdiction to declare minority status for both new and existing institutions. Appeals were allowed and the impugned High Court judgments set aside.
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