India commemorates National Minorities Rights Day annually on December 18 to protect minority identities while ensuring equal participation in national development. This day also recognises the social, cultural, and economic contributions of minority communities to Indian society, as the Constitution emphasises equal rights regardless of their linguistic, ethnic, or religious background.&nbsp;To protect the rights of minorities, the Government of India established the National Commission for Minorities in 1992, following the United Nations' issuance of the Statement on the Rights of Individuals Belonging to Religious, Linguistic, or Ethnic Minorities.<h3>Laws every religious, linguistic minority should know</h3>Core equality and non‑discrimination rights&nbsp;Article 14 – Equality before law: Everyone, including minorities, is equal before the law and entitled to equal protection by the state.​&nbsp;Article 15(1)–(2) – No discrimination: The State cannot discriminate only on religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth; it also bars discrimination in public places.​&nbsp;Article 16(1)–(2) – Equal opportunity in public jobs: Guarantees equality of opportunity in state employment, forbids exclusion only on religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth or residence.​&nbsp;Freedom of religion&nbsp;Article 25 – Freedom of conscience and religion: Every person is free to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, health and other Fundamental Rights.​&nbsp;Article 26 – Manage religious affairs: Every religious denomination may establish and manage its own religious institutions, own property, and administer affairs in matters of religion.​&nbsp;Article 27 – The Indian Constitution prohibits the State from levying taxes specifically to promote or maintain any particular religion or religious denomination, ensuring secularism by preventing public funds from supporting one faith over others, though general expenditure or secular management fees for religious institutions are allowed. This fundamental right ensures financial neutrality and freedom from religious compulsion, allowing citizens to practice their faith without being forced to fund others'.&nbsp;Article 28 – It guarantees freedom regarding religious instruction and worship in educational institutions, ensuring secularism by prohibiting religious teaching in state-funded schools and protecting students from mandatory participation in religious activities in state-recognised or aided institutions, even allowing for religious instruction in trust-based institutions under specific conditions.&nbsp;Cultural and educational rights specific to minorities&nbsp;Article 29(1) – Preserve language, script, culture: Any section of citizens with a distinct language, script or culture has the right to conserve it—this explicitly covers linguistic and cultural minorities.​&nbsp;Article 29(2) – No denial of admission: No citizen can be denied admission to a state‑run or state‑aided educational institution only on grounds of religion, race, caste, language or any of them.​&nbsp;Article 30(1) – Minority educational institutions: All religious and linguistic minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice (schools, colleges, professional institutes).​&nbsp;Article 30(2) – Equality in state aid: The State cannot discriminate in granting aid to educational institutions merely because they are managed by religious or linguistic minorities.​&nbsp;Property protection: If the state acquires property of a minority educational institution, compensation must not be set in a way that effectively destroys its right to run such institutions.​&nbsp;Political and welfare‑oriented provisions&nbsp;Article 46 (Directive Principle): Directs the state to promote educational and economic interests of weaker sections and protect them from social injustice and exploitation—often used to justify targeted schemes for minorities.​&nbsp;Articles 330–334 (representation, historically): Earlier provided special representation mechanisms (e.g., Anglo‑Indian nominations), showing constitutional concern for minorities’ voice in legislatures, though some clauses have since lapsed or been amended.​&nbsp;Language‑related safeguards&nbsp;Article 347 – Recognition of minority language: If a substantial proportion of a state’s population wants their language recognised, the President may direct such recognition for official purposes within that state.​&nbsp;Article 350A – Mother‑tongue education: The State must try to provide primary education in children’s mother tongue, especially for linguistic minorities.​&nbsp;Article 350B – Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities: A constitutional officer investigates complaints, reports to the President, and monitors whether states are safeguarding minority language rights.​

Minorities Rights Day in India 2025: To protect the rights of minorities, the Government of India established the National Commission for Minorities following the United Nations’ 1992 statement on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic Minorities.

India commemorates National Minorities Rights Day annually on December 18 to protect minority identities while ensuring equal participation in national development. This day also recognises the social, cultural, and economic contributions of minority communities to Indian society, as the Constitution emphasises equal rights regardless of their linguistic, ethnic, or religious background. To protect the rights of minorities, the Government of India established the National Commission for Minorities in 1992, following the United Nations' issuance of the Statement on the Rights of Individuals Belonging to Religious, Linguistic, or Ethnic Minorities. Laws every religious, linguistic minority should know Core equality and non‑discrimination rights Article 14 – Equality before law: Everyone, including minorities, is equal before the law and entitled to equal protection by the state. Article 15(1)–(2) – No discrimination: The State cannot discriminate only on religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth; it also bars discrimination in public places. Article 16(1)–(2) – Equal opportunity in public jobs: Guarantees equality of opportunity in state employment, forbids exclusion only on religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth or residence. Freedom of religion Article 25 – Freedom of conscience and religion: Every person is free to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, health and other Fundamental Rights. Article 26 – Manage religious affairs: Every religious denomination may establish and manage its own religious institutions, own property, and administer affairs in matters of religion. Article 27 – The Indian Constitution prohibits the State from levying taxes specifically to promote or maintain any particular religion or religious denomination, ensuring secularism by preventing public funds from supporting one faith over others, though general expenditure or secular management fees for religious institutions are allowed. This fundamental right ensures financial neutrality and freedom from religious compulsion, allowing citizens to practice their faith without being forced to fund others'. Article 28 – It guarantees freedom regarding religious instruction and worship in educational institutions, ensuring secularism by prohibiting religious teaching in state-funded schools and protecting students from mandatory participation in religious activities in state-recognised or aided institutions, even allowing for religious instruction in trust-based institutions under specific conditions. Cultural and educational rights specific to minorities Article 29(1) – Preserve language, script, culture: Any section of citizens with a distinct language, script or culture has the right to conserve it—this explicitly covers linguistic and cultural minorities. Article 29(2) – No denial of admission: No citizen can be denied admission to a state‑run or state‑aided educational institution only on grounds of religion, race, caste, language or any of them. Article 30(1) – Minority educational institutions: All religious and linguistic minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice (schools, colleges, professional institutes). Article 30(2) – Equality in state aid: The State cannot discriminate in granting aid to educational institutions merely because they are managed by religious or linguistic minorities. Property protection: If the state acquires property of a minority educational institution, compensation must not be set in a way that effectively destroys its right to run such institutions. Political and welfare‑oriented provisions Article 46 (Directive Principle): Directs the state to promote educational and economic interests of weaker sections and protect them from social injustice and exploitation—often used to justify targeted schemes for minorities. Articles 330–334 (representation, historically): Earlier provided special representation mechanisms (e.g., Anglo‑Indian nominations), showing constitutional concern for minorities’ voice in legislatures, though some clauses have since lapsed or been amended. Language‑related safeguards Article 347 – Recognition of minority language: If a substantial proportion of a state’s population wants their language recognised, the President may direct such recognition for official purposes within that state. Article 350A – Mother‑tongue education: The State must try to provide primary education in children’s mother tongue, especially for linguistic minorities. Article 350B – Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities: A constitutional officer investigates complaints, reports to the President, and monitors whether states are safeguarding minority language rights.

Minorities Rights Day in India 2025: To protect the rights of minorities, the Government of India established the National Commission for Minorities following the United Nations’ 1992 statement on the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic Minorities.

Minorities Rights Day in India 2025: Important laws every religious and linguistic minority should know

The Dutch parlimanet voted on Tuesday in favour of banning the Islamic full-face veil from some public places such as schools and hospitals.

The motion &quot;to ban all clothing which completely covers the face&quot; from government buildings was approved by 132 members in the 150-seat house, news agency AFP reported.

The legislation will also ban burqas and face coverings with eye-slits from public transport.

&quot;The law is adopted,&quot; said the speaker of the lower house of parliament, Khadija Arib.

The legislation has to be approved by a Senate before it can be a law. The Dutch cabinet had approved the plan in mid-2015.

The tensions with the Islamic communities in Europe continues to rise. Similar bans have also been imposed in France and Belgium.

It backed the legislation due to the &quot;necessity to be able to interact face-to-face, for instance in places where public services are performed and safety must be guaranteed,&quot; the government said, reported AFP. &quot;The government sees no need to impose the ban on all public spaces,&quot; it added.

Violaters would be fined up to 410 euros (around $430).

The ban does not apply to waering helmets, or full-face safety protection while working playing sport or &quot;during a festive or cultural event&quot;.

The anti-Islam Freedom Party (PVV) of firebrand politician Geert Wilders, who is leading opinion polls ahead of March elections supported the ban.

&quot;How do we even know there&#39;s a woman under this Islamic textile?&quot; said PVV lawmaker Machiel de Graaf, AFP reported. &quot;It might as well be a well-trained jihadist who completed his training in Raqa of course,&quot; he said in a parliamentary debate last week.

Public newscaster NOS said only about 150 women in The Netherlands wear the burqa, most of them only occasionally.

And MP Tunahan Kuzu, who vehemently fought against the draft legislation, said freedom of expression allowed people &quot;to be who they are and dress how they want&quot;, AFP said.

&quot;It is reprehensible to exclude these women and isolate them because of a subject anxiety among certain citizens,&quot; he said.

Karima Rahmani, who attended the parliamentry debate last week in a burqa, argued that there were already rules which identified women wearing the burqa.

&quot;When we go to the town hall we have to identify ourselves, as well as at Amsterdam&#39;s Schiphol airport where we have to remove it,&quot; she told NOS. &quot;The obligation to identify oneself is already provided for in the law.&quot;

A burqa ban in France was lawed in 2011, imposing a 150 euro fine on violation. There have been 1,500 arrests in the past five years.

The European Court of Human Rights in 2014 backed the French ban, rejecting arguments that outlawing full-face veils breaches religious freedom, reported AFP.

Some parts of Switzerland have followed France&#39;s lead and similar bans are being considered in other European countries. This summer some French towns also controversially banned burkinis, the full-body Islamic swimsuit.

(With inputs from AFP)

The legislation must now go before the Senate for approval before becoming law

The Dutch parlimanet voted on Tuesday in favour of banning the Islamic full-face veil from some public places such as schools and hospitals. The motion "to ban all clothing which completely covers the face" from government buildings was approved by 132 members in the 150-seat house, news agency AFP reported. The legislation will also ban burqas and face coverings with eye-slits from public transport. "The law is adopted," said the speaker of the lower house of parliament, Khadija Arib. The legislation has to be approved by a Senate before it can be a law. The Dutch cabinet had approved the plan in mid-2015. The tensions with the Islamic communities in Europe continues to rise. Similar bans have also been imposed in France and Belgium. It backed the legislation due to the "necessity to be able to interact face-to-face, for instance in places where public services are performed and safety must be guaranteed," the government said, reported AFP. "The government sees no need to impose the ban on all public spaces," it added. Violaters would be fined up to 410 euros (around $430). The ban does not apply to waering helmets, or full-face safety protection while working playing sport or "during a festive or cultural event". The anti-Islam Freedom Party (PVV) of firebrand politician Geert Wilders, who is leading opinion polls ahead of March elections supported the ban. "How do we even know there's a woman under this Islamic textile?" said PVV lawmaker Machiel de Graaf, AFP reported. "It might as well be a well-trained jihadist who completed his training in Raqa of course," he said in a parliamentary debate last week. Public newscaster NOS said only about 150 women in The Netherlands wear the burqa, most of them only occasionally. And MP Tunahan Kuzu, who vehemently fought against the draft legislation, said freedom of expression allowed people "to be who they are and dress how they want", AFP said. "It is reprehensible to exclude these women and isolate them because of a subject anxiety among certain citizens," he said. Karima Rahmani, who attended the parliamentry debate last week in a burqa, argued that there were already rules which identified women wearing the burqa. "When we go to the town hall we have to identify ourselves, as well as at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport where we have to remove it," she told NOS. "The obligation to identify oneself is already provided for in the law." A burqa ban in France was lawed in 2011, imposing a 150 euro fine on violation. There have been 1,500 arrests in the past five years. The European Court of Human Rights in 2014 backed the French ban, rejecting arguments that outlawing full-face veils breaches religious freedom, reported AFP. Some parts of Switzerland have followed France's lead and similar bans are being considered in other European countries. This summer some French towns also controversially banned burkinis, the full-body Islamic swimsuit. (With inputs from AFP)

Dutch parliament approve partial ban on burqa wearing in public

religious-rights

Religious Rights, News on Religious Rights, stories on Religious Rights, articles on Religious Rights, Religious Rights stories at Wion, Religious Rights news, Religious Rights latest news

religious rights

Minorities Rights Day in India 2025: Important laws every religious and linguistic minority should know

Dutch parliament approve partial ban on burqa wearing in public