Kolkata: Calcutta High Court rejected an allowance announced by West Bengal government for Imams and Muezzins is unconstitutional and against the public interest of nation .The court said the allowance violated Articles 14 and 15/1 of the Constitution, which provide that the state shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, or any of them.
In April 2012 Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced an allowance of Rs. 2,500 for each Imam, later also extending one to Muezzins, who call the Azaan, of Rs. 1,500 each.
That decision was challenged in high court by BJP state general secretary Asim Sarkar who contended that India was a secular country and the allowance went against constitutional provisions ensuring equality of religion.
odiakhabar 