Mamata's allowance to Imams unconstitutional, rules Calcutta HC
The Calcutta High Court declared the monthly allowances given to Imams and muezzins by the West Bengal government as unconstitutional.
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Monday declared the monthly allowances given to Imams and muezzins by the West Bengal government as unconstitutional.
A division bench of Justices Pranab Kumar Chattopadhyay and Murari Prasad Shrivastava made the observation while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. PTI
"We always believed that the move to pay monthly honorariums only to Imams was discriminatory and unconstitutional and the court today (Monday) upheld our contention," state BJP president Rahul Sinha said.
The Mamata Banerjee government last year had announced a monthly stipend of Rs.2,500 for the about 30,000 Imams in the state.
Following the announcement, the BJP filed the PIL challenging its legality.
Both the Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Congress welcomed the court's verdict, saying it has foiled the "state government's move to discriminate between people on the basis of religion".
IANS
also read
I have no 'aukat' as I am merely a servant: PM Modi hits back at Congress
'In the past, the Congress had used words like 'neech aadmi', 'maut ka saudagar' and 'naali ka keeda' for me. I urge you to talk about development instead of playing this game of 'aukat', he said
Himachal Pradesh Polls: A look at key players, constituencies to watch out in hill state
The BJP is eying on retaining power in the state overturning the trend of an alternative government in the state since 1982, while the Congress is posing its faith in its '10 guarantees' that the party has promised to deliver on if it comes to power
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee hits out at Opposition for not attending Governor's oath-taking ceremony
V Ananda Bose on Wednesday took oath as the new governor of West Bengal