Minorities in India Must Know the Indian Constitution
Indian Minorities must be aware of the constitution before it is changed beyond recognition (download pdf here). Dear Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and all minorities living in India, this is your country whether you like it or not. You represent and belong to your religion whether you are religious or not. When your rights, freedom and sovereignty is encroached and your very lives be in danger, the communal forces will not see if a Muslim is a Tableeghi, Islami or ehle hadeesi. Or even Shia, Sunni or Ahmadi. They will not see if a Christian is a Protestant or a Catholic or which sect of Sikhism one belongs.
If one has even a little understanding of what’s happening to minorities in India and in many parts of the world, then it’s clear how tough these times are for them. Thinkers and ponderers among the minorities should realise how bleak the future is if things continue as they are today. Things will continue that way unless steps are taken to check unregulated power dominance by stronger communities over the weaker. It is not a democracy when this happens. Unlike Europe or other countries where normally, a person’s life cannot be violated, there is very little that one can do in India when the communal government or communal forces target the Minorities.
Understanding the Indian constitution, at least the portions that relate to the freedom, rights and sovereignty, must be part of the very basic responsibility if the Minorities’ today and the future is to be protected in this country. It should even be part of the religious curriculum of their respective religions. That is one of the biggest service their scholars could do to them today -to bring this sense into their thinking.
The Indian Constitution is a 260+ page book. All Minorities must read it and understand their rights. It is also a chance for the young UPSC aspirants as this is a course subject. Also for the young non-sciencers to know career opportunities in Law.
Only when you from your communities produce proportional representation in India’s Judicial, Executive and Legislative branches of government and in the armed forces can you safeguard peace in India.