New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS): The Supreme Court on Thursday sought response from the Centre on the Jamiat Ulema-I-Hind's plea raising concerns over the "arbitrary" appointment of Chairperson and members of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI).

After a hearing in the matter, a bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao, Navin Sinha and Indu Malhotra issued notice.

Jamiat Ulema-I-Hind, in the plea filed through advocate Wajeeh Shafiq, argued that the Chairperson and the members have been appointed in an arbitrary manner without inviting applications by issuing advertisements.

"It is relevant to mention here that out of three members, two members are from Sikh community whereas, no person from Christian community or amongst Sunni Muslims was appointed as member of the Commission," it contended.

The NCMEIs consists a Chairperson and three members to be nominated by the Centre.

In 2006, the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act was enacted to safeguard educational rights of the minorities enshrined in Article 30(1) of the Constitution. This Act gives linguistic and religious minorities a fundamental right to establish and administer educational institutions.

The Jamiat has sought direction for the Centre to appoint the members of the NCMEI in place of outgoing members and all the future appointments on the recommendations of the committee constituted by the Chief Justice till the constitution of National Tribunal Commission.

"The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions is not amongst the 19 Tribunals dealt with under the Tribunals, Appellate Tribunal and other Authorities, Rules 2020," the plea said.