Bal Patil vs. Union of India (2005)

The Supreme Court stated linguistic and religious minorities are different from each other but concurred with the TMA Pai verdict that minorities should be determined state-wise.

• However, the Court clarified that only linguistic minorities should be declared state-wise and not religious minorities.
• The Court believed that it is pertinent to declare religious minorities nation-wise to preserve the unity and integrity of the nation.

Moreover, the court held that the National Commission of Minorities is not empowered to declare a community as a minority and only the central government is empowered to do so.