Various measures to improve the condition of minorities based on religion and language have been taken by the government. At the national level the government has given recognition to various religious groups.
THE TERM minority often means less than half of the whole. When applied to people, however, the term does not necessarily refer to numerical proportion. Some minority groups have more members than the dominant group. For example, blacks have formed a majority of the population in some cities and counties of the southern United States. However, these blacks have considerably fewer economic and political opportunities than the dominant white group. The blacks in these areas form a subordinate (less powerful) group.
According to 2001 census the minorities have a 20.40 million population in India. During British rule their ratio of population was less, yet they were given more privileges and protections. Consequently they never thought of themselves as group of minorities. Due to this many lower castes Hindu accepted this religion. Christian Missionaries also took advantage of it and they started the work of conversion among lower Hindu castes and tribals. Due to this many Hindu organizations have opposed this. This is the reason they felt insecure and started demanding more rights and more protection.
Some areas like Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, where the Christian majority reside, have demanded more and more rights on the basis of regionalism. This community also wants to follow the rules of reservation like Muslims have obtained. But due to the lower population they are not a good vote bank so there is less attention paid to them.
Although Sikhs are also a minority, in Punjab they are in the majority. There is a good ratio of Sikhs in politics, industries, education and other government jobs. About 25 years ago some groups of Sikhs demanded a separate state of Khalistan. During that time there was some confusion regarding solidarity. Later Sikhs realized that this separation was due to foreign interference.
The Jain Buddhists, Parsis among others do not have problems about creating groups. They have full freedom to open colleges and other educational and social institutions.
Efforts of the government for minorities
Various measures to improve the condition of minorities based on religion and language have been taken by the government. At the national level the government has given recognition to various religious groups like Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Janis and Parsis. According to the 2001 census all these religions comprise more than 17 % of the population in India. To protect their culture, language and religion all types of help should be provided to them. According to Article 16 and 25 of the Constitution minorities will be provided equal opportunities in the field of public services and accept and propagate any religion to his/her liking. Article 29 says everyone has the right to preserve his culture, language and script. Article 38 gives them other facilities also.
To protect the interests of minorities, the government formed the Minority Commission in 1978.This looks after the implementation process of the available facilities and powers. In 1992 the National Commission Law on Minorities was formed by the Lok Sabha. According to it, right from 1993, in the place of Minority Commission 1978 a new National Commission will be established. At present from January 2000 the National Commission on minorities is working and playing an important role in solving the problems of minorities.
According to articles 350 B a separate linguistic National Commission has been established, which plays an important role in solving the problems of linguistic minorities.
For the welfare of minorities a five-point programme has been framed. Its main function is to solve the problems arising out of communal riots and similar situations. It takes care to see that appropriate representation is being given to minorities in government services and also pay attention towards their economic and social development.
To increase the participation of minorities in public services there is an arrangement of occupational courses which is being conducted from 1992 in the form of free coaching facility. During 2001 more than 21,000 youths of weaker sections of the minorities have benefited. At present in 41 districts various programmes of socio economic developments are on.
To improve the status of minorities the government has invested Rs. 5000 million to form the National Minority Development and Finance Corporation. The women and occupational groups get financial help from it. In 2000-2001 more than 20,000 people from among minorities received help to the tune of Rs. 720 million.
Minority groups can make arrangements for its educational and cultural activities in the form of institutions. The appointments for such posts will be done by management personnel. The question is when the Constitution of India has given equal rights to all its citizens, than where is the need to give special rights? In reality the majority can get things done on the basis of being the majority of the population and therefore it dominates but for the minority there is need for such facilities.