Question

Indian Constitution recognises minorities on the basis of ________
(A) religion
(B) language
(C) both A and B
(D) neither A and B

Answer 1

Hint:
 Indian Constitution mentions about minorities in Article 30. Minorities are those people who are less in number when compared to the general population. They are classified on various grounds depending upon their ethnic background.


Complete solution:
 India is a vast country where people of various religions and cultures reside together. To ensure equal opportunities to all of them and to bring them at par with the mainstream the Constitution of India recognises them and entitles them certain benefits so that they are able to come out of the downstream.

 A minority is a group of people whose religion, practices and ethnicity are lesser in number as compared to the total population.

A minority may be:

- Ethnic minority
- Racial minority
- Religious minority
- Sexual minority etc.

Article 30 of the Constitution of India recognises minorities on the basis of religion and language. Article 30 also mandates that all minorities shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, they cannot be denied access to it on the ground of their being minority.

Although some people argue that the advantages given to the minorities hinder the growth of others who are not entitled to any such benefit but the fact remains that if it would have not been needed then the makers of the constitution would never have included it. There is a need to update the provisions but they cannot be completely removed as even today some people are discriminated based on religion, creed, culture, sex and colour.

Additional information: Women are also considered a minority in some areas. In most societies, the number of men and women remain unequal, with men being in larger numbers as compared to women. Women are denied education because people think they will eventually have to get married. They are also subject to domestic violence. Although the government has made various provisions to reduce discrimination against women, it still has to cover a long path.


Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Note:
 People of minority group face discrimination in various areas including social, housing, employment, healthcare and education. The Constitution ensures that this discrimination ends they are given equal opportunities so that they are not left behind.