What are the provisions for minority classes in the constitution?

Many times we come to know that globally, the majority community always try to dominate the minority communities in their countries. They do not want to share their power with them. But in India, the contribution made by the minority in the development of our country has been well recognised and also to give them protection certain provisions have been made in the constitution. This has been done to maintain national unity, integration, patriotism etc. These provisions are as follows:

1. Representation of Anglo-Indians

This is the minority from English speaking and decided to stay in India even after British had gone. Therefore, they have got representation of two seats in the Loksabha which are nomited by the President and provided in the articles Nos. 331, 333 and 134. At the same time, Governor of the State can nominate one person from this community on State Assembly. It is now amended that these provisions would be extended upto 2015.

2. Religious Freedom

According to article nos. 25-28 every Indian citizen have been given religious freedom. Therefore, anybody from any religion can follow any religion, follow any beliefs and practices of worship of any God and Goddess.

3. Linguistic and Cultural Rights

The Indian Constitution protects the minorities (Article No. 29-65) to preserve and prosper their own language, script and culture. Therefore, the religious minorities, linguistic minorities can establish their cultural and educational institutions and spread their culture. They can reserve 50% seats in educational institutions and even appoint the teachers from their own community. This is only that they should be treated with equality like all other citizens.

4. Admission in all educational Institutions

Article 29 (2) of the constitution lays that any institution in India can not deny admission to the student on the basis of his/her religion or on the basis of minority religion.

5. Right to Set Up Institution

Article 30 (2) of the constitution provides that any state govt. can not deny approval or grant-in-aid to any minority institution. Therefore, these minorities can set up their own institution equally with the majority. Therefore, we find the minority institutions of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Gujarati, South Indians, Rajasthani, Parsis etc and they flower & flourish in India with fearless spirit.

6. Equality in Public Employments

The article 16 (2) of the constitution says, the state can not deny employments on the basis of religion, caste, creed, sex, language, region. Though the person from minority, he will be treated equally regarding public emplooyments.

7. Freedom of Medium of Instruction

As per the article no. 350 (A), the children (minority) from the respective state should be given right to choose their medium of instruction according to the availability. Even President can issue order to the respective state.

8. Appointment of a Special Officer

The president can make an appointment of an officer on special duty (Article 350 (B) to look after the benefits of protection, preservation of their culture or to solve their problems due to being minority community.

One can understand that the architects of the constitution, studied the dormant communalism, casteism, linguism and regionalism as conflicts and their future consequences and problems for the minorities. The minority communities must feel that they are the inseparable parts of this country of India and they are Indians, therefore, our constitution have provided every right to them regarding preservation and prosperity of their culture, their language, their education etc. It is only keeping in mind ‘unity in diversity’.