Minority Communities in India

According to the constitution of India, two types of people are considered as Minority Communities in the country. First is Religious Minority and second one is Linguistic Minority.

In religious minorities, followers of all the religions except Hindus are considered as Minorities on national and state level. This includes following religions:

Muslims

Christians

Sikhs

Buddhists

Jains*

Parsis

Linguistic minorities are those who have different first language than the first language of majority of the people in that state. Thus, for example, Gujarati speaking people living in Maharashtra are linguistic minorities in Maharashtra and Marathi speaking people living in Gujarat are are linguistic minorities in Gujarat.

There are Minority commissions on national and state levels. The commissions looks into the matters related to minorities.

Religious minorities get special benefits, especially in the field of education and educational institutions. Minority communities can establish their own educational institutions, and can reserve 50% seats of students reserved for own community members. In addition, they can recruit 100% staff from their own community.

Beside this, scholarships and other help is offered to minority students by Central and state Governments. Business loans with a very low interest is also offered to young entrepreneurs from minority communities. There is a 15 point development program for minorities from Prime Minister of India.

(*Jains are not in central list of minorities, but many states have declared this status for the community)

-Mahavir Sanglikar