Out of 110 nations, India tops global minority index

A Patna-based research institute, the Centre for Policy Analysis (CPA) has put India on top of the ‘global minority index’ in its Global Minority Report tabulating 110 countries.

Key Findings of the Report:

• India remains on top of the index, followed by South Korea, Japan, Panama, and the US.
• Maldives, Afghanistan, and Somalia figured at the bottom of the list.
• The UK is ranked 54, and the UAE 61.
• The ranking approach has been mathematical and the grading of countries was done on the basis of the approach of the State towards minority religions, and the extent of their inclusiveness.
• This report only takes into account ‘macro parameters’ to analyze the status of religious minorities in a country, and the approach of a state towards them.
• The parameters that have been taken into account to assess the status of religious minorities include;
• Constitutional provisions,
• Policies of a government, and
• Broader indicators, such as the laws of the land.

Minority community in India:

• In 1993, the first Statutory National Commission was set up and five religious communities Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Zoroastrians (Parsis) were notified as minority communities under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.
• In 2014, Jains were also notified as a minority community.
• The population of Muslims is 14.2%; Christians 2.3%; Sikhs 1.7%, Buddhists 0.7%, Jain 0.4%, and Parsis 0.006%.
• As per the Census 2011, the percentage of minorities in the country is about 3% of the total population of the country.

What does the Constitution say about minorities?

The expression “minorities” appears in some Articles of the Constitution but is not defined anywhere.

Article 29:

• It provides that any section of the citizens residing in any part of India having a distinct language, script, or culture of its own, shall have the right to conserve the same.
• It grants protection to both religious minorities as well as linguistic minorities.
• However, the SC held that the scope of this article is not necessarily restricted to minorities only, as the use of the word ‘section of citizens in the Article includes minorities as well as the majority.

Article 30:

• All minorities shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
• The protection under Article 30 is confined only to minorities (religious or linguistic) and does not extend to any section of citizens (as under Article 29).

Article 350-B:

• The 7th Constitutional (Amendment) Act 1956 inserted this article which provides for a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities appointed by the President of India.
• It would be the duty of the Special Officer to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for linguistic minorities under the Constitution.

Other important minority rights

• Article 15 prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion race cast sex or place of birth.
• Article 17Prohibits untouchability. 
• Articles 25 to 30 preserve the right of minorities on grounds of religion.
  • Article 26 allows religious institutions to be opened.
  • Article 27 provides that no person shall be forced to pay any taxes which are not mandatory.
  • Article 28 provides that there shall be no religious instruction to be followed in any particular educational institution.

Government Schemes for the Empowerment of Minorities

Educational Empowerment:

• Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) Scheme.
• Naya Savera- Free Coaching and Allied Scheme for the candidates/students belonging to Minority Communities.
• Padho Pardesh– Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for the Student belonging to Minority Communities.
• Nai Udaan– Support for Minority Students clearing Prelims conducted by UPSC, State Public Service Commissions (PSCs), and Staff SelectionCommission.

Skill Development:

• (Seekho aur Kamao (Learn & Earn)
• USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/ Crafts for Development.
• Nai Manzil - A scheme to provide education and skill training to the youth from Minority Communities.
• Concessional credit through the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC).

Infrastructure Development:

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakaram (PMJVK)

Special Needs:

• Nai Roshni –The scheme for leadership development of Minority Women.
• Hamari Dharohar– A scheme to preserve the rich heritage of minority communities of India under the overall concept of Indian culture.
• Jiyo Parsi– Scheme for Containing the Population Decline of Parsis in India.