National Minority Rights Day 2021: History, Significance, Quotes

Bhubaneswar: India observes Minorities Rights Day on December 18 every year to ensure the Constitutionally-assured rights of religious minorities in the country are safeguarded.

History

India stands tall as the epitome of ‘unity in diversity’. It is home to people from diverse race, religion, colour and language. Despite all diversities, they all stand united in one spirit, as the citizens on India. To cherish that and ensure every citizen of the country is catered their share of rights, the Government of India set up the National Commission for Minorities. In the same year, the United Nations adopted the Statement on the Individual’s Rights belonging to religious, ethnic and linguistic minorities. In January 26, 2006, the Indian Government set up the Ministry of Minority Affairs, carving it out from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Significance

National Minorities Rights Day is observed to safeguard constitutional provisions for minorities including:

  • Prohibition of discrimination against citizens on the basis of race, religion, sex or birth place.
  • Citizens’ rights to equality of opportunity in employment.
  • Freedom of conscience and right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion and other Fundamental Rights; etc.

Theme

Minority Rights Day is observed with the sole goal to uplift the minority section in the society. In India, the commonly considered minorities in terms of religion are Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains.

Quotes

  • It is always the minorities that hold the key to progress.
  • The minority yields to the majority
  • The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority.
  • In politics, an organized minority is a political majority.
  • Minority is about being an individual. It’s like you have to sift through the darkness to find your place and be that individual you want to be your entire life.

 

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