Minorities Rights Day

Syllabus: GS1/ Society, GS2/ Governance

Context

• Minorities Rights Day is observed annually on December 18 in India to protect and promote the rights of minority communities.

About

• The Day is observed to commemorate the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious, and Linguistic Minorities on December 18, 1992.
  • India officially began recognizing this day in 2013.

Minority in India

• Religious Minority: The basic ground for a community to be nominated as a religious minority is the numerical strength of the community.
  • Section 2, clause (c) of the National Commission of Minorities Act, declares six communities as minority communities. They are: Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and Zoroastrians (Parsis).
• Linguistic Minorities: Class or group of people whose mother language or mother tongue is different from that of the majority groups is known as the linguistic minorities. 

Challenges faced by minorities

• Social Discrimination: Minorities face prejudice in daily life, employment opportunities, and housing, leading to social exclusion.
• Economic Disparities: Lower literacy rates, limited access to quality education, and unequal employment opportunities contribute to economic backwardness.
• Political Underrepresentation: Minorities often have limited participation in policymaking and governance, reducing their influence on decision-making processes.
• Hate Crimes: Incidents of targeted violence and communal unrest disrupt social harmony, fostering fear and insecurity within minority communities.

Constitutional and legal safeguards

• Fundamental Rights: Articles 14, 15, 16, and 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantee equality before the law, prohibit discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, and ensure equal opportunities in public employment.
• Cultural and Educational Rights: Articles 29 and 30 protect the rights of minorities to preserve their language, script, and culture, and to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
• Special Provisions: Article 350A ensures the right to receive education in their mother tongue for children belonging to linguistic minority groups.
• National Commission for Minorities (NCM): It was established in 1992 and monitors the implementation of safeguards for minorities, addresses their grievances, helps to promote their welfare and protect their rights.
• The Ministry of Minority Affairs was established in 2006, carved out from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, to focus on issues concerning the minority. 

Government Initiatives for Minorities

• Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme: Aimed at the socio-economic and educational empowerment of minorities, this programme focuses on better access to education, healthcare, employment, and housing for minority communities.
• Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF): The scheme provided financial assistance for five years to research scholars pursuing M.Phil and Ph.D.
• Naya Savera: To provide free coaching to minority students of classes 11-12 with science subjects for entrance to technical and professional courses and competitive examinations.
• Jiyo Parsi Scheme: Launched in 2013-14, the scheme aims to reverse the declining Parsi population in India through targeted interventions.

Way Ahead

•  India’s commitment to diversity is exemplified in the vibrant cultures, religions, and languages that coexist across the country. 
• Providing better access to schools, colleges, and technical institutions in minority-concentrated areas can help overcome geographical and socio-economic barriers.

Source: TH