Indian state grants minority status to its Jewish community

The recognition means that Jews there “shall get benefits of welfare schemes formulated for religious minority communities"

By JTA

JULY 11, 2018 09:53

Updated: JULY 11, 2018 11:19

SARA NETANYAHU, her husband, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tour a hothouse in Gujarat state yesterday. (photo credit: AVI OHAYON - GPO) — SARA NETANYAHU, her husband, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tour a hothouse in Gujarat state yesterday.

(photo credit: AVI OHAYON - GPO)

The Indian State of Gujarat granted minority status to its Jewish community.

The decision on Friday makes Gujarat the third state in India to recognize Jews as a minority community.

The recognition means that Jews there “shall get benefits of welfare schemes formulated for religious minority communities within the jurisdiction of Gujarat,” its government said in a statement, according to the Times of India.

Jerusalem Post diplomatic correspondent Herb Keinon reports live from Ahmedabad, India on day 4 of Netanyahu"s India trip, January 17, 2018 (Herb Keinon)

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Gujarat is home to about 170 Jews, mostly centered in the western city of Ahmedabad. The city also is home to the only synagogue in the state, the Magen Abraham Synagogue, built in 1934.

Gujarat hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to India in January.

Maharashtra and West Bengal are the other states that have granted minority status to their Jewish communities.