Context
Every year, December 18 is observed as the Minorities Rights Day to uphold the right to freedom and equal opportunities for the ethnic minorities in India and create awareness about the respect and dignity of the minorities.
Background
- 18 December was declared as the Minorities Rights Day back in 1992 by the United Nations.
- The UN had adopted the statement on the individual’s Rights belonging to religious or Linguistic National or Ethnic Minorities.
Minorities Rights Day in India
- India acknowledges the recognition and protection of minority rights under international law.
- December 18 commemorates declarations on the rights of persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious, and Linguistic Minorities.
- In India, it is the responsibility of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) to carry out the events on this day.
- The NCM was established by the Union Government under the National Commission for Minorities Act, in 1992.
- Initially, five religious communities were notified as minority communities namely Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Zoroastrians (Parsis).
- According to the 2011 Census data, minorities constitute 19.30 per cent (23.37 crore) of India's population. These include-
- Muslims (14.2 per cent )
- Christians (2.3 per cent )
- Sikhs (1.3 per cent )
- Buddhists (0.7 per cent )
- Jains (0.4 per cent ) and Parsis
- Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Lakshadweep are the only states where any notified minority is in majority.
Theme
- The Minority Rights Day 2021 in India is celebrated annually on December 18 by conducting debates and seminars on the topic. The plight and situation of the minorities are thoroughly studied to rule out discrimination from the country.
- The day aims to uplift all the minority sections of society and back them to voice their opinion.
