Every year on December 18, Minority Rights Day is celebrated in India to protect the rights of minority communities. The day upholds the right of India’s minorities to freedom and equal opportunities and raises awareness about these rights. Additionally, the theme of this year’s celebration focuses on “All in 4 Minority Rights.”
What do you understand about minority groups?
According to its original definition, a minority group is a group of people who are less numerous than the main groups within those classifications in terms of their practices, race, religion, ethnicity, or other characteristics.
In the past, invasions of ancient and medieval India led to the creation of Muslim, Anglo-Indian, Christian, and other minority populations. India became a melting pot of minorities as a result of the movement of groups fearful of persecution, such as the Parsis, the Divide and the Rule strategy of the British colonial power, etc.
The Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic Religious or Linguistic Minorities was adopted and disseminated by the United Nations on December 18, 1992. It emphasizes how the national, cultural and religious identities of minorities must be respected, protected and held by individual states and territories.
The National Commission for Minorities of India celebrates Minority Rights Day to encourage religious harmony, respect and deeper understanding of all minority communities.
What are the rights of minorities under the Indian Constitution?
The Constitution of India lists some essential mandates regarding minorities in India.
- Article 14- Right of people to “equality before the law” and to “equal protection of the laws.”
- Article 15 (1) and (2) – Prohibition of discriminating against citizens on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
- Article 16 (1) and (2) – Right of citizens to equal opportunities in matters related to employment or appointment to any position dependent on the State.
- Article 25(1) – Freedom of conscience of people and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion – subject to public order, morality and other fundamental rights
- Article 28 – The freedom of people to attend religious instruction or religious worship in educational institutions is fully maintained.
- Article 30(1) – Right of all religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice
- Article 30 (2) – Freedom from discrimination of educational institutions run by minorities in the matter of receiving aid from the State.
- Article 350-B – Originally, the constitution of India did not include any provision regarding Special Officer for linguistic minorities in India. However, the Seventh Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 inserted Article 350-B into the constitution.
Organizations safeguard minority rights in India
- Minority Commission
- The Sachar Committee
- Rang Nath Mishra Commission on Minorities:
- Multisector Development Program:
- Ministry of Minority Affairs
- National Commission for Minorities (NCM)
Any aggrieved person belonging to a minority community can approach the concerned state minority commissions for redressal of their grievances.
Check other important days and dates in December 2022
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Source: ptivs2.edu.vn