July 9: The Bombay High Court today granted permission to the Narsi Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) to admit 50 per cent Gujarati students.

The Vile Parle Kelavni Mandal moved the court last year asking for minority status to their NM Institute of Management Studies, since the other sister concerns were accorded the same. The other institutes like N M College and Mithibai colleges were permitted to admit 50 per cent Gujarati students since the Mandal trust is a Gujarati educational minority institution.

In 1996, the court granted interim relief and asked the government to file an affidavit. The government decided against granting of such minority status. So, a fresh notice of motion was filed by the trust. The judges have again granted permission to continue with the interim relief of minority status. Meanwhile, the court will scrutinise the stance of the government. This interim ruling comes close on the heels of the temporary minority status granted to the South Indian Education Society, Sion. The government had argued that the Constitution of India does not recognise the regional minorities like `South Indian' or `North Indian.' The final hearing will decide the status of these colleges.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.