Parameters to define minority in India

  • Threat to extinction – Allahabad HC stated that muslims are not minority in UP as they do not have any threat to extinction.
  • Numerical inferiority – SC has consistently maintained that numerical inferiority is the defining parameter. On basis of religion- Hindus in Punjab, NE.
  • Statewise definition – SC has stated that minorities are to be defined on state level as states were created on basis of linguistic distinction. But in the recent decade, we have seen that linguistic distinction is no more a distinction for demands of new states (for eg- Telangana).
  • Alacrity of demands and organized representation by the prospect communities.