The Centre has told the Supreme Court that welfare schemes for religious minority communities are “legally valid” which aims to reduce the inequalities and does not violate the rights of members of Hindus or other communities.
The submission was made in an affidavit filed in response to a petition which said welfare schemes cannot be based on religion.
The Centre's affidavit noted that these schemes are legally valid as they are only enabling provisions so as to achieve inclusiveness and do not suffer from any infirmity.
The Centre said the welfare schemes are meant only for the economically weaker sections, children and women of the minority communities and not for everyone belonging to a minority community.