Global Minority Index
Context:
- The Centre for Policy Analysis (CPA), a Patna-based research organisation, put India top on the “global minority index” in its Global Minority Report, which ranks 110 countries.
Principal findings of the report:
- India continues to be ranked first, followed by South Korea, Japan, Panama, and the US.
- Somalia, Afghanistan, and the Maldives were at the bottom of the list.
- The UK is ranked 54, while the UAE is placed 61.
- Countries were assessed based on how inclusive they were and how the State treated minority religions using a mathematical ranking system.
- This report only takes into account “macro parameters” in order to analyse the position of religious minorities in a country and the attitude of the state toward them.
- When establishing the status of religious minorities, the following considerations have been made: constitutional clauses, governmental directives, and more general indications like the rule of law.
Indian Minorities:
- Under Section 2(c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act of 1992, five religious communities were designated as minority communities, and the first Statutory National Commission was constituted in 1993. Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Zoroastrians comprised these communities (Parsis).
- In 2014, Jains were informed that they belonged to a minority community.
- Muslims make up 14.2% of the population, Christians 2.3%, Sikhs 1.7%, Buddhists 0.7%, Jains 0.7%, Christians 0.7%, and Parsis 0.006%.
- According to the 2011 Census, minorities make up around 3% of the entire population of the nation.
The following traits characterise minorities in India:
- Being in some manner inferior to the majority, standing out from the majority owing to physical or cultural traits, being viewed as being different and inferior as a group, and not being allowed to fully participate in society are all examples of being subordinate to the majority.
What protections does the Constitution give minorities?
- The phrase “minorities” is never defined, despite the fact that it appears in a few Constitutional Articles.
Article 29:
- It states that any group of Indian people, living everywhere in the nation, has the right to preserve their own culture or language by speaking, writing, or practise.
- It offers protection to both linguistic and religious minorities.
- The SC came to the conclusion that this clause does not necessarily apply only to minorities because the term “part of citizens” used in the article includes both minorities and the majority.
Article 30:
- All minorities have the right to create and manage the educational institutions of their choosing.
- Article 30 only protects linguistic or religious minorities; it doesn’t include other citizenry categories (as under Article 29). (According to Article 29).
Article 350-B
- The 7th Constitutional (Amendment) Act of 1956 inserted this provision, which directs the President of India to designate a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities.
- The Special Officer would be in charge of investigating any matters pertaining to the protections the Constitution provides linguistic minorities.
Other crucial minority rights
- Discrimination on the basis of race, caste, sex, religion, or place of birth is prohibited by Article 15.
- Untouchability is prohibited by Article 17.
- Articles 25 to 30 prohibit minorities from discriminating on the basis of religion.
- Article 26 permits the establishment of a religious institution.
- According to Article 27, no one may be made to pay taxes that are not necessary.
- In accordance with Article 28, no educational institution may conduct religious instruction.
- actions by the government to support minorities
Empowerment based on education:
- The National Fellowship (MANF) Program of Maulana Azad.
- There is a free coaching and allied programme called Naya Savera available for applicants and students from minority backgrounds.
- For students from minority groups, the Padho Pardesh project offers educational loans with reduced interest rates for studies abroad.
- assistance in assisting minority students to pass preliminary examinations held by the Staff Selection Commission, the State Public Service Commissions, and the UPSC.
development of skills
- Seekho and Kamao (Learn & Earn) are enhancing traditional arts and crafts training and skills for development (USTTAD).
- Through the Nai Manzil project, young people from minority communities can obtain education and skill development.
- The National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation offers concessional loans (NMDFC).
construction of infrastructure
- The Special Needs Program of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakaram (PMJVK)
- Nai Roshni, a programme, assists minority women in enhancing their leadership skills.
- A programme called Hamari Dharohar attempts to uphold the integrity of Indian culture while preserving the rich cultural history of India’s diverse communities.
- Jiyo Parsi is a plan to stop the Parsi population in India from declining.
