Who are minorities

Minority, a culturally, ethnically, or racially distinct group that coexists

with but is subordinate to a more dominant group. As the term is used in
the social sciences, this subordinancy is the chief defining characteristic
of a minority group. As such, minority status does not necessarily
correlate to population. In some cases one or more so-called minority
groups may have a population many times the size of the dominating
group, as was the case in South Africa under apartheid ( c. 195091).
The lack of significant distinguishing characteristics keeps certain
groups from being classified as minorities. For instance, while
Freemasons subscribe to some beliefs that are different from those of
other groups, they lack external behaviours or other features that would
distinguish them from the general population and thus cannot be
considered a minority. Likewise, a group that is assembled for primarily
economic reasons, such as a trade union, is seldom considered a
minority. However, some minorities have, by custom or force, come to
occupy distinctive economic niches in a society .
Because they are socially separated or segregated from the dominant
forces of a society, members of a minority group usually are cut off from
a full involvement in the workings of the society and from an equal share
in the societys rewards. Thus, the role of minority groups varies from
society to society depending on the structure of the social system and
the relative power of the minority group. For instance, the degree of
social mobility of a member of a minority group depends on whether the
society in which he lives is closed or open. A closed society is one in
which an individuals role and function can theoretically never be
changed, as in the traditional Hindu caste system. An open society, on
the other hand, allows the individual to change his role and to benefit
from corresponding changes in status. Unlike a closed society, which
stresses hierarchical cooperation between social groups, an open society
permits different social groups to vie for the same resources, so their
relations are competitive. In an open society the rank that the individual
attains for himself is more important than the ranking of his social
group.

Sociologist Louis Wirth defined a minority group as "a group of people who, because of their
physical or cultural characteristics, are singled out from the others in the society in which they

live for differential and unequal treatment, and who therefore regard themselves as objects of
collective discrimination."[4] This definition includes both objective and subjective criteria:
membership of a minority group is objectively ascribed by society, based on an individual's
physical or behavioral characteristics; it is also subjectively applied by its members, who may
use their status as the basis of group identity or solidarity. In any case, minority group status is
categorical in nature: an individual who exhibits the physical or behavioral characteristics of a
given minority group will be accorded the status of that group and be subject to the same
treatment as other members of that group.

MINORITIES IN INDIA

BASIS OF MINORITY
1.MINORITY ON THE BASIS OF RELIGION KNIOWN AS
RELIGIOUS MINORITY
2. MINORITY ON THE BASIS OF LANGUAGE KNOWN AS
LINGUISTIC MINORITY
In india these are the two most important basis
for determining the status of minority. India is a vast and
very much diversified nation.
In order to protect the languages and religion which are
on the verge of extinction minority status is granted to
them.which provides them various advantages to
safeguard there language and culture
It has more than HUNDRED languages*
Gives space to the followers of nearly all the religion of
the world
India's languages by scheduling (recognition under the 8th Schedule of
the Constitution)
114 languages (registered by census)
22 scheduled languages (97% of all speakers in 2003)
1.173 million speakers in 2011
92 non-scheduled languages (3% of speakers in 2003) 36,3
million speakers in 2011
scheduled languages, official
in at least one state: 14
scheduled languages,
official in no state: 8
Non scheduled languages, but registered as "languages" in
national census (very few co-official on district or local level)
957 mil. speakers (2001)* 39 mil. speakers (2001)*

24 million speakers (1991)**

31 million speakers (2001)
36 million speakers (2011)
Out of the 114 languages 88 are classified as "tribal languages"

Linguistic Minorities In India

There are many divisions in Indian society. Division because of language is one of the divisions
to reckon with. The main reason to consider it seriously is that the territory of country itself has
been defined on the basis of language only.
There are many divisions in Indian society. Division because of language is one of
the divisions to reckon with. The main reason to consider it seriously is that the
territory of country itself has been defined on the basis of language only. This
happened in 1956.
We should be aware that most of the languages in India belong to four major
families namely, Dravidian, Indo-Aryan, Austro-Asiatic and Sino-Tibetan. At present
around 325 languages are spoken throughout the country out of which 18 are
scheduled ones. Hindi is our official language.
Now, with such a large number of languages, it is logical that we will have a large
number of languages which are spoken only by small groups of the total population.
These will evidently be those groups which are called the linguistic minorities.
As of now, the language question has been made so sensitive an issue that any
consensus regarding the various problems is almost impossible. Even today, it is
debated that Hindi should not be the official language of our country.
The matter is even more complex. For every literary language there are many
dialects and spoken forms. Many of these have histories that can be traced back to
thousands of years. So, why arent these called proper languages? The answer is
that it all depends upon the political will and preference of a particular area.
In such a scenario it is but natural for certain sections to feel that their language
(and even culture) is being discriminated against. On the other hand there are
certain people who feel that this concept of linguistic minorities is very dangerous
for those languages which are at a developed stage. They argue that giving
recognition to such minor languages may hamper the further development of their
particular grand language.
Constitution has provided many safeguards so that any minor language may not get

suppressed. But, the sad part of the matter is that many a time the language
question has led to riots, destruction of property and deaths. All this in name of
language, which is a great binding force

National Commission for Religious and Linguistic

Minorities
National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, also called as Ranganath Misra
Commission was constituted by Government of India on 29 October 2004 to look into various
issues related to Linguistic and Religious minorities in India. It was chaired by former Chief
Justice of India Justice Ranganath Misra.[1] The commission submitted the report to the
Government on 21 May 2007.[2]

Initially, the commission was entrusted with the following terms of reference
(a) To suggest criteria for identification of socially and economically backward sections among
religious and linguistic minorities;
(b) To recommend measures for welfare of socially and economically backward sections among
religious and linguistic minorities, including reservation in education and government
employment; and
(c) To suggest the necessary constitutional, legal and administrative modalities required for the
implementation of its recommendations.
After nearly five months of its work the Commissions Terms of Reference were modified so as
to add the following to its original Terms of Reference.
(d) To give its recommendations on the issues raised in WPs 180/04 and 94/05 filed in the
Supreme Court of India and in certain High Courts relating to para 3 of the Constitution
(Scheduled Castes) Order 1950 in the context of ceiling of 50 percent on reservations as also the
modalities of inclusion in the list of Scheduled Castes.

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITIES

The Union Government set up the National Commission for Minorities (NCM)
under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. Six religious communities,
viz; Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains have been
notified as minority communities by the Union Government.The NCM adheres to the
UN Declaration of 18 December 1992 which states that "States shall protect the
existence of the National or Ethnic, Cultural, Religious and Linguistic identity of
minorities within their respective territories and encourage conditions for the
promotion of that identity.
Functions and powers

The Commission has the following functions:

Evaluate the progress of the development of Minorities under the Union and States.

Monitor the working of the safeguards provided in the Constitution and in laws enacted
by Parliament and the State Legislatures.

Make recommendations for the effective implementation of safeguards for the protection
of the interests of Minorities by the Central Governments or the State Governments.

Look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of the
Minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities.

The Commission has the following powers:

Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India and
examining him on oath.

Requiring the discovery and production of any document.

Receiving evidence on affidavit.

Requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office.

Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents.

Composition of Commission

1. Chairperson
2. Vice chairperson

3. members

Constitutional rights and safeguards provided to the minorities in India

1. Constitutional safeguards for religious and linguistic minorities of India

Though the Constitution of India does not define the word Minority and only refers to
Minorities and speaks of those based on religion or language, the rights of the minorities have
been spelt out in the Constitution in detail.
2. Common Domain and Separate Domain of rights of minorities provided in the
Constitution
The Constitution provides two sets of rights of minorities which can be placed in common
domain and separate domain. The rights which fall in the common domain are those which
are applicable to all the citizens of our country. The rights which fall in the separate domain are
those which are applicable to the minorities only and these are reserved to protect their identity
2.2 Common Domain, the Fundamental Duties Part IVA of the Constitution
Part IVA of the Constitution, relating to Fundamental Duties as provided in Article 51 A applies
in full to all citizens, including those belonging to Minorities. Article 51A which is of special
relevance for the Minorities stipulates as under :i.

citizens duty to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the
people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities;
and

ii.

citizens duty to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.

2.4 Separate Domain of Minority Rights

The Minority Rights provided in the Constitution which fall in the category of Separate
Domain are as under:i.

right of any section of the citizens to conserve its distinct language, script or culture;
[Article 29(1)]

ii.

restriction on denial of admission to any citizen, to any educational institution maintained

or aided by the State, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, language or any of them;
[Article 29(2)]

iii.

right of all Religious and Linguistic Minorities to establish and administer educational
institutions of their choice;[Article 30(1)]

iv.

freedom of Minority-managed educational institutions from discrimination in the matter

of receiving aid from the State;[Article30(2)]

v.

provision for facilities for instruction in mother-tongue at primary stage;[Article 350 A]

Constitutional provisions for minorities in india

Article 14:
The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal
protection of the laws within the territory of India.
1

Religious Minorities and

the Indian Constitution
Article 14:
The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal
protection of the laws within the territory of India.
Article 15:
(1) The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of

religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.

Article 21: No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except
according to procedure established by law

Article 25: (1) Subject to public order, morality and health

and to the other provisions of this Part, all persons are equally entitled
to freedom of conscie
Article 26:
Subject to public order, morality and health, every religious denomination or any
section thereof shall have the right to2 (a) to establish and maintain institutionsfor religious and charitable purposes;

(b)to manage its own affairs in matters of religion;

(c) to own and acquire movable and immovable property; and