Minorities Rights Day 2020: History, importance and why is it observed

The Minorities Rights Day in India was first observed on December 18, 2013.   |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: Every nation in the world has its share of minorities, be it linguistic, cultural or ethnic. Preserving and protecting their rights is a challenge for almost all governments. In India, we observe Minorities Rights Day every year on December 18 with an aim to create awareness about their rights. The day also focuses on the issues facing the minorities in the country. 

This day also helps us in having a better understanding of the issues of minorities and their safety concerns. The Constitution of India guarantees equal rights for all its citizens including safeguarding the rights of people from religious, linguistic, ethnic minorities.

History of the day

The Minorities Rights Day in India was first observed on December 18, 2013.  On 18th December 1992, the United Nations had declared the Statement on the Individual’s Rights belonging to Religious or Linguistic National or Ethnic Minorities. 

The UN statement emphasised that the rights of minorities shall be respected, protected and preserved by the states and within individual territories. 

Minority Affairs Ministry in India

For the first time in 2006, a Ministry of Minority Affairs was set up. This ministry was carved out of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The communities that have been notified as minorities in India are Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Zoroastrians (Parsis), Jains, and Buddhists.

National Minorities Commission (NMC)

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) was established under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.