Relevance: Sociology: Religion and Society: Problems of religious minorities.
Some of the main problems faced by minorities in India are as follows:
- Problem of Identity 2. Problem of Security 3. Problem Relating to Equity.
- Problem of Identity:
Because of the differences in socio-cultural practices, history and backgrounds, minorities have to grapple with the issue of identity everywhere which give rise to the problem of adjustment with the majority community.
- Problem of Security:
Different identity and their small number relative to the rest of the society develops feeling of insecurity about their life, assets and well-being. This sense of insecurity may get accentuated at times when relations between the majority and the minority communities in a society are strained or not much cordial.
- Problem Relating to Equity:
The minority community in a society may remain deprived of the benefit of opportunities of development as a result of discrimination. Because of the difference in identity, the minority community develops the perception of the sense of inequity.
So far as the problems of Muslims are concerned, which is the largest minority community in India, they fall into three categories:
(a) Problems those are common to all poor people.
(b) Problems those are common to all minorities.
(c) Problems those are specific to Muslims only.
Though India is declared a ‘secular’ state, yet the problem of secularism looms large here. Conversion to Islam and Christianity has been a much controversial issue over the last couple of decades.
Reasons for this are varied—ranging from poverty to perceived discrimination resulting in alienation of Muslims and Christians in India. The Government of India has constituted a committee on 9th March 2005 under the chairmanship of justice Rajendra Sacchar to enquire and analyse the problems faced especially by Muslims in India.
The Indian socio-economic fabric is very complex because it is much affected by caste, religion and all the more regional/linguistic differentials. At the same time, the Indian economic, social and political institutions which are persisting since centuries have a historical basis also. These factors have given a unique character to Indian society. It has become a conglomeration of various layers and segments divided and sub-divided.