Jews in state to get minority status
The recognition will enable community members to get education funds, monetary help to safeguard synagogues.
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved a proposal to grant minority status to Jews in the state. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
“Maharashtra cabinet approves minority status to Jew community. This decision will benefit students from these communities to avail scholarships from the state government and setting up of educational institutions,” Fadnavis said.
At present, there are 2,644 Jews in the state and all schemes meant for minorities will now be available to them.
In October 2006, the state had given a minority tag to Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Boudhas and Parsis. In the 2011census, Jews were counted as “others community” which made it difficult to arrive at their exact figure.
With the minority tag attached to the Jewish community, it will be possible to enlist the members as a separate religion in the next Census.
“It is great news. It should have been done much earlier but all we can say is sooner or later, we are happy that it has been implemented,” said 63- year old Mahim resident Daniel Joseph, adding that the minority status will help the community members in getting education funds, funds to safe guard their heritage synagogues etc.
“Our numbers are fewer that all the other minorities. It is nice to hear that the government has finally recognized that,” said Joseph, who is also one of the administrators of the Honorary Jewish Prayer Group in Mumbai.
Members of the Indian Jewish Federation had approached Eknath Khadse, the then minority affairs minister, to put across their request. In the letter submitted to Khadse, the community members had stated that Judaism is a distinct religion and also one of the most ancient religions of the world.
“The Jews of Maharashtra state can trace back their history to 2,000 years. On behalf of the Jewish community residing in the state, we earnestly request the government of Maharashtra to declare and notify Jews as minority,” the letter had stated.
May slow down migration
Most Jews from the state have migrated to Israel as the country offers tax-free life for the initial three years and also offers maintenance if they fail to find a job.
The community members now feel that the migration may reduce if the Indian government offers some incentives that come along with the minority status.
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday approved a proposal to grant minority status to Jews in the state. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
“Maharashtra cabinet approves minority status to Jew community. This decision will benefit students from these communities to avail scholarships from the state government and setting up of educational institutions,” Fadnavis said.
Jayshree Mukhjerjee, the principal secretary of the minority affairs department said the Jewish community had made a request last year for recognition as minority. “We processed the application. The cabinet accepted it on Tuesday.”
At present, there are 2,644 Jews in the state and all schemes meant for minorities will now be available to them.
In October 2006, the state had given a minority tag to Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Boudhas and Parsis. In the 2011census, Jews were counted as “others community” which made it difficult to arrive at their exact figure.
With the minority tag attached to the Jewish community, it will be possible to enlist the members as a separate religion in the next Census.
“It is great news. It should have been done much earlier but all we can say is sooner or later, we are happy that it has been implemented,” said 63- year old Mahim resident Daniel Joseph, adding that the minority status will help the community members in getting education funds, funds to safe guard their heritage synagogues etc.
“Our numbers are fewer that all the other minorities. It is nice to hear that the government has finally recognized that,” said Joseph, who is also one of the administrators of the Honorary Jewish Prayer Group in Mumbai.
Members of the Indian Jewish Federation had approached Eknath Khadse, the then minority affairs minister, to put across their request. In the letter submitted to Khadse, the community members had stated that Judaism is a distinct religion and also one of the most ancient religions of the world.
“The Jews of Maharashtra state can trace back their history to 2,000 years. On behalf of the Jewish community residing in the state, we earnestly request the government of Maharashtra to declare and notify Jews as minority,” the letter had stated.
May slow down migration
Most Jews from the state have migrated to Israel as the country offers tax-free life for the initial three years and also offers maintenance if they fail to find a job.
The community members now feel that the migration may reduce if the Indian government offers some incentives that come along with the minority status.
