In a very general sense, the term minority refers to a relatively small group of people differing from other in race, religion, language or political persuasion. In the administrative vocabulary, the statistical criterion forms the basis of defining the minority group(s).
Thus, a community with less than 50 per cent strength of the population in a state qualifies to lie counted under the category of minority. Low numerical count often entails discrimination, and lack of power, in various spheres of life. Pathy suggests that “in the field of social science, size of the population is not a sufficient criterion for determining a minority group.”
Importantly, the fact of being discriminated against because of religious, racial or national background inherent difference and destructiveness from the dominant group constitutes the basis of ascribing minority status constitute a community. Surely, a community may constitute a majority in one state but minority in another state or in the context of the country. It is equally important to appreciate that a community may be a minority in linguistic, religious, ethnic and other terms.
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Minority, therefore, is a widely diverse category. Minorities complain that their social, economic, and political interests are jeopardised and often surrendered before the interests of those who constitute the majority. The assertion of rights by minorities and the reluctance of majority to yield lead to conflicts and riots.
They feel disadvantaged and oppressed, segregated, and sometimes ridiculed. At every stage they are required to negotiate their demands with those in majority whether they relate with securing admission in schools or a well paying job.
The assertion of rights by minorities and the reluctance of the majority to yield often lead to conflicts sometimes involving violence and bloodshed. In several situations, the majority feels that the demands of the minority are uncalled for and unjustified.
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In the Indian democracy which upholds equality and freedom for all citizens irrespective of their status, the Constitution dispels with any form of discrimination based on religion or language considerations.
In fact, the constitution adopts measures and safeguards to recognise the rights of the minorities in conserving their culture, establishing and administering educational institutions of their choice. The National Minorities Development and Finance Corporations were set up in 1994-95 for their economic upliftment.