Minorities Problems in India

Minorities

A meaningful conception of minorities would include sections of people who, on account of their non-dominant position in the country as a whole, are targets of discrimination and therefore deserving of special consideration. The UN Sub-Commissions in Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities define minority,’ as a group numerically inferior to the rest of the population of a state which possess and wish to preserve stable ethnic, religious or linguistic traditions’. The Oxford Dictionary of English language defines ‘minority’ as a smaller group representing “less than half of the whole or predominant population”.

Status of Minorities in India

The Constitution of India uses the word ‘minority’ or its plural form in some Articles viz Article 20 to 30 and 350 A to 350 B, but does not define the word ‘minority’. The Motilal Nehru Report (1928) showed a prominent desire to afford protection to minorities, but did not define the expression. In pursuance of the Constitutional provisions, the government is committed to the wellbeing of the minorities- whether linguistic or religious.

The National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 in the Section 2(c) of the act defined a minority as “a community notified as such by the Central government”. Acting under the provision on October 23, 1993, the Central government notified the Muslim, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhist and Parsis (Zoroastrian) communities as minorities for the purpose of the Act. When the Central government listed these communities as minority it appears that numerical criterion was taken into consideration.

According to the Census 2011, of the total population of 121 crore, the Hindus make up 79.8 percent.Muslim constitutes 14.2, Christians 2.3,Sikh 1.7, Buddhists 0.7 and Jains 0.4 percent. ‘Other religious persuasions’ and ‘religion not stated’ constitute 0.9 and 0.1 percent respectively.

The Census 2011 data indicated that Hinduism is professed by the majority of the population in India. The Hindu is majority in most States and UTs except in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Lakshadweep, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. As regards religious minorities at the national level, all those who profess a religion other than Hinduism are considered minorities. The Muslims are the largest religious minority followed by Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jain and Parsis.

Problems faced by Minorities

  • 1. Problem of Prejudice and Discrimination: Minority committee faces discrimination with regard to their religion. As far as prejudices are concerned, prejudices and stereotyped thinking are common features of a complex society. India is not an exception to this. Commonly used statements such as – “Hindus are cowards and Muslims are rowdies; Sikhs are dullards and Christians are converters “, etc. – reflect the prevalent religious prejudices. Such prejudices further widen the social distance among the religious communities.
  • 2. Problem of Security: Different identity and their small number relative to the rest of the society develops feeling of insecurity about their life, assets and well-being. This sense of insecurity may get accentuated at times when relations between the majority and the minority communities in a society are strained or not much cordial.
  • 3. Problem of Identity: Because of the differences in socio-cultural practices, history and backgrounds , minorities have to grapple with the issue of identity everywhere which give rise to the problem of adjustment with the majority community.
  • 4. Problem Relating to Equity: The minority community in a society may remain deprived of the benefit of opportunities of development as a result of discrimination. Because of the difference in identity, the minority community develops the perception of the sense of inequity.
  • 5. Backwardness:- Minority communities are unable to join the main stream of society . Sachar Committee which was constituted in 2005 has placed muslims below the schedule castes, and schedule tribes.
  • 6. Problem of Representation:- In term of religious composition 90.4% of MPs in Loksabha are Hindus. 5.2% are muslims and other religious community represents 4% MPs. Muslims contributes only 2.5% in Indian bureaucracy.
  • 7.Lack of Clear definition:- There was no clear definition for minority which creates a huge flaw. By which inclusion and exclusion error occurs in implementation of Government schemes. Recently a PIL was filed in Supreme court Regarding to this matter.
  • 8. Problem of Separatism: Some of the demands put forward by some religious communities in some areas are not acceptable to others. This has widened the gap between them and others, Examples: The separatist tendency present among some Muslim extremists in Kashmir and their demand for the establishment of Independent Kashmir is not acceptable to others
  • 9. Problem of Communal Tensions and Riots: Communal tensions and riots have been increasing since independence. Whenever the communal tensions and riots take place for whatever reason, minority interests get threatened; fears and anxieties become widespread. It becomes a tough task for the government in power to restore the confidence in them.

Some other problems faced by minorities in India are:-

  • Educational: adequate financial allocations are not available for minority educational institutions;
  • Dalit Christians are not granted Scheduled Castes status as has been done in the case of Sikhs and Buddhists;
  • Christians do not have adequate representation in educational institutions and in Government employment especially in the police force and the bureaucracy;
  • Church property and Muslim and Christian burial grounds as well as Parsi religious grounds are encroached upon and there is no protection against such encroachments or steps taken by the government for removal of such encroachments; the culprits are not brought to book;
  • Police exhibit indifference and laxity during the onslaught by anti-social elements on the members of the Christian community, as well as the Christian institutions and refuse to register FIRs;
  • Sikhs are not adequately represented on the Commissions and Boards established by the State Government;
  • Neo-Buddhists demand privileges, as they are, by and large a deprived segment of society. They also demand protection of their distinctive culture;
  • A common complaint of all the minority communities is that there are inadequate Anganwadis and Balwadis in minority dominated areas;
  • Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme for the welfare of minorities is not being implemented in letter and spirit. There is inadequate publicity to the 15-point program among the minorities on account of which the eligible minorities are unable to avail the benefits and the funds are allowed to lapse;
  • The terms and conditions governing the grant of educational grants/loans under the 15 Point programme are very stringent;
  • State Minority Commissions have not been meeting the minorities at district-levels to understand their problems. It is not enough if the meeting is held in the capital.

Protection and Support to minorities:- Minorities in India get special protection and support under the Indian Constitution, laws, various scheme

1. Constitutional Protection to minorities:-

1/1. Protection under fundamental Rights:-

  • Article 29(1)- Ensure right of all section of citizens to conserve their distinct language ,script and culture.
  • Article 30(1) :- Ensure rights of all religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institution of their choice.
  • Article 30(2)- Ensure freedom of minority educational institutions from discrimination in matter of receiving aid from state.

1/2 – Protection under Part XVII ( Official language )

  • Article 347- Provide special provision relating to language spoken by a section of the population.
  • Article350A – Deals with provision of facilities for instruction in mother tounge
  • Article 350B— Provision for a special officer for linguistic minorities and defines its duty.

Legislative protection:-

  • The national commission of Minority act 1992—this act led to foundation of the national commission on minority by the Union Government. It consist of a chairperson and 6 members ,provided at least 5, including the chairperson ,should belongs to minority community.
  • Waqf Act—This act deals with the donation in Muslim community. The central waqfcouncil , a statutory body , manages the administration of waqfs in India. Waqf is permanent dedication of movable or immovable properties given by Muslim philanthropists for religious ,pious,or charitable purpose. The grant known as Musrat-Ul-Khidmat and person who makes such dedication known as Waqif.
  • Citizenship amendment Act—This act gives citizenship to persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afganistan within 6 years in place of 12 years. Hindus, Christians, Sikshs , Jains , Buddhists, and Parsis( all are minority in india excluding Hindu) who migrated before 2014 are eligible.

Executive Privilege:- In addition to legislative measure , the central government gives many special previleges to minority through its ministries, departments and commissions. , as listed below

  • The Ministry of Minority Affairs was carved out of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and created on 29th January, 2006 to ensure a more focused approach towards issues relating to the notified minority communities namely Muslim, Christian, Budhist, Sikhs, Parsis and Jain. The mandate of the Ministry includes formulation of overall policy and planning, coordination, evaluation and review of the regulatory framework and development programmes for the benefit of the minority communities
  • The Ministry of External affairs deals with matter relating to Haj committee.
  • The Ministry of Human Resource and Development deals with schemes for quality education in madarshas, and with infrastructure development for minority institutions.

Other bodies:-

  1. National commission for minority Educational Institutions:- It is a statutory body to protect and safeguard educational institutions established by religious minorities in India. It does not cover linguistic minorities.it consists of a chairman ( Judge of High court) and two other nominated by Central government , all must belong to a religious community.
  2. National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation:– this body under the Ministry of Minority affairs, aims to promote economic and developmental activities for minorities. It is a Public sector unit registered under Companies act as non-profit company.

International Norms:- The protection of rights of minorities is provided under Article 27 of the international convent on civil and political rights . Further “United Nations declaration on the rights of persons belonging to National , Ethnic, Religious,and linguistic Minorities” is the document which sets essential standards and offers guidance to state in adopting appropriate legislative and other measures to secure the Rights of Minorities.

INITIATIVES TAKEN IN INDIA FOR MINORITIES

Various initiatives have been taken up by the government of India to address the problems of minorities in India. Some of them are:-
PRE-MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME: The scholarship at pre-matric level will encourage parents from minority communities to send their school going children to school, lighten their financial burden on school education and sustain their efforts to support their children to complete school education. The scheme will form the foundation for their educational attainment and provide a level playing field in the competitive employment arena. The scholarship will be awarded for studies in India in a government or private school from class I to class X, including such residential Government institutions and eligible private institutes selected and notified in a transparent manner by the Stat Government and Union Territory Administration concerned. 30% of scholarship will be earmarked for girl students.

POST-MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME: The objective of the scheme is to award scholarships to meritorious students belonging to economically weaker sections of minority community so as to provide them better opportunities for higher education, increase their rate of attainment in higher education and enhance their employability. 30% of scholarship will be earmarked for girl students.

FREE COACHING AND ALLIED SCHEME FOR THE CANDIDATES BELONGING TO MINORITY COMMUNITIES: Under this scheme, candidates belonging to the minority community are provided financial assistance for coaching in Government and the private sector institutes for imparting coaching/training for Competitive Exams, Information Technology and other employment oriented courses. 30% of the scholarships are earmarked for girl students.
JIYO PARSI: JiyoParsi is a new scheme for containing population decline of Parsis in India, that has been launched during the current year 2013-14 with the objective to reverse the declining trend of Parsi population by adopting a scientific protocol and structured interventions to stabilize their population and increase the population of Parsis in India. Ministry extends financial assistance for outreach programme/ advocacate and fertility treatment as per scheme guidelines. The scheme is implemented with assistance from Parzor Foundation with the help of Bombay ParsiPunchayet (BPP).
NAI ROSHANI: A scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women has been launched from 2012-13 with the objective to empower and instill confidence in women, providing knowledge, tools and techniques to interact with Government systems, bank and intermediaries at all levels so that they are emboldened to move out of the confines home and assume leadership roles. The scheme is implemented through Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
NAI MANZIL: A bridge course to bridge the academic and skill development gaps of the deeni Madrasa passouts with their mainstream counterparts.

LEARN AND EARN (SEEKHO OR KAMAO): The Ministry has launched “SeekhoAurKamao (Learn and Earn)” a new 100% Central Sector Scheme for Skill Development of minorities in September 2013. The scheme is implemented by private professional skill development organizations/companies. The scheme ensures employment of minimum 75% trained candidates, and out of them 50% in organized sector. The scheme reserves minimum 33% seats for minority women. During 2013-14 under the scheme, Rs. 17.00 Crore were released for skill training of 20,164 minority youths.

USTAAD:- The Scheme aims at upgrading Skills and Training in preservation of traditional Ancestral Arts/Crafts of minoritie

HAMARI DAROHAR: -The Scheme aims to preserve rich heritage of minority communities in context of Indian culture.

Further Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for Welfare of Minorities is an overarching programme which covers various schemes of concerned Ministries/Departments either by earmarking15% of physical targets/financial outlays for the minorities or by specific monitoring of flow of benefits/funds to areas with substantial minority population. Presently 24 Schemes implemented by 11 Ministries/ departments including 7 Schemes of Ministry of Minority Affairs, are covered under this programme.

CONCLUSION

Though the government of India is making various efforts to improve the situation of minority in India still there are some issues which are needed to be addresses for the proper implementation of the schemes:-

  • Improving the monitoring methods of the implementation of the schemes being implemented , so that it reaches the beneficiaries directly.
  • Suggesting the modifications, if required, in the schemes with a view to cater to the specific needs and requirements of the minority community;
  • To study report of previous Committees which have gone into the issues of minority education and welfare and suggest ways and means to implement the recommendations/conclusions of those Committees;
  • To advise the Committee on setting up a monitoring mechanism for minority related schemes and
  • Any other issues relating to minority education which the Committee may want to bring to the notice of governament


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