Question

Why do we need safeguards for minority communities?
A.To protect the state
B.To spread communalism
C.To protect the rights of rich people
D.To protect their rights and interests

Answer 1

Hint: The word minority is commonly used to refer to the communities which are numerically smaller than other communities in the society.

Complete step by step: In the Indian Constitution the term ‘minority’ or its plural form has been mentioned in Articles 29 to 30 and also in Articles 350A to 350B, but has not been defined anywhere.
In simple terms, the word minority has always been used to refer to a group comprising less than half of the population and whose values, ideals and beliefs are different from others. The Central government on the provisions of the National Commission for Minorities Act 1992, on October 23, 1993, notified that the Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist and Zoroastrian (Parsi) are regarded as minorities. The minorities were oppressed by the majority. Also, the majority sections always influence how the government as well as the society might express themselves.
 Hence, the safeguards are needed to protect the minority communities from being oppressed and marginalized. The reasons are:
-To defend the smaller communities from any sort of discrimination and loss.
-To guard these communities against the plausibility of being culturally dominated by the majority.
-To minimize the feeling of anxiety about their lives, welfare and property.
-Finally, to protect India’s cultural diversity and also to promote equality and justice among the people within the Indian territory.
Let’s examine the options
Option A is not applicable as the question focuses on the need to safeguard the minority sections which comprises the people and not state.
Option B is null and void as communalism focuses on the political organization which are based on federated communes whose main principle is religion.
Option C is also null and void because even though the rich people are in minorities, they often play an important role and influence society.
Option D deals with the rights and interests of people. Thus, the main reason to safeguard minorities is to protect them from any discrimination and oppression.
Thus, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: Minorities are an integral part of the society, excluding them would result in utter chaos and violence in the country. It is the duty of the country to formulate policies to safeguard the minority communities from getting oppressed and discriminated against.