9 months ago
BJP MP Proposes Redefining Minority Criteria in India
A BJP MP named Bhim Singh has suggested that the way India decides which communities are minorities should be changed.
Right now, some communities like Muslims and Christians are considered minorities all over India, even though they might be the majority in certain states.
For example, Muslims make up 96% of the population in Lakshadweep and 69% in Jammu & Kashmir, but they still get minority benefits.
The MP thinks this isn't fair and wants the government to look at the population in each state or district to decide who should get minority benefits.
He also suggested that only communities with less than 2% of the national population should be considered minorities.
He plans to write to the Ministry of Minority Affairs to push for this change.
BJP MP Bhim Singh proposed redefining minority status based on state or district population ratios.
Current minority communities (Muslims, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains, Christians, Buddhists) may not be minorities in certain states.
Muslim population exceeds 50% in Lakshadweep (96%) and Jammu & Kashmir (69%), and is significant in other states.
Christian population is majority in Nagaland (88%), Mizoram (87%), and significant in other states.
MP suggests prioritizing genuinely disadvantaged communities and considering district-wise data for equitable resource distribution.
- Who
- BJP Rajya Sabha MP Bhim Singh from Bihar
- What
- Proposed redefining minority criteria based on state or district population ratios
- Where
- India, with focus on state and district-level population data
- When
- Raised in Rajya Sabha on Monday (specific date not mentioned)
- Why
- To ensure equitable distribution of resources and benefits to genuinely disadvantaged communities
Key facts
- Proposed Definition
- Communities below 2% of national population
- Current Minority Communities
- Muslims, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains, Christians, Buddhists
- Muslim Population in India
- 14.2% (2011 Census)
- Muslim-Majority States/UTs
- Lakshadweep (96%), Jammu & Kashmir (69%), Assam (34%), West Bengal (27%), Kerala (26%)
- Christian Population in Nagaland
- 88% (2011 Census)
- Christian Population in Mizoram
- 87% (2011 Census)
- Christian Population in Manipur
- 42% (2011 Census)
- Christian Population in Arunachal Pradesh
- 30% (2011 Census)
- Christian Population in Goa
- 25% (2011 Census)
- Muslim Population in Bihar
- 17% (Statewide), 39-68% (in 8 districts)
Quotes
Bhim Singh
BJP's Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar
“Let’s look at this through an example. As per the 2011 Census, there is 14.2% Muslim population in the country and that is a big number, still they are considered as minority since they are next only to the majority community. Several states (and Union Territories) in India are Muslim-majority, exceeding 50% of its population — Lakshadweep at 96% and Jammu and Kashmir at 69%. In Assam it is 34%, West Bengal 27% and Kerala 26%. This is way above the national percentage of 14.2%. In Kashmir, for instance, Hindus are a minority, but are not getting any advantage of minority welfare schemes. Is this fair?”
indianexpress.com
“I urge the Central government to conduct a comprehensive review on this subject and bring in a policy that gives priority to genuinely disadvantaged communities. I am planning to soon write to the Ministry of Minority Affairs in this regard. I would like to say that in any given region, either the local population composition be taken into account to decide who is minority and who is not, or else, the national definition should consider only those as minorities in India who are below 2% of the population — such as Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis.”
indianexpress.com
