Recent Statements Recent Statements

Statement by India under Agenda Item 3 : Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues in the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council (22 February – 23 March 2021) delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 15 March 2021)

Statement by India under Agenda Item 3 : Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues in the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council (22 February – 23 March 2021) delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India
(Geneva, 15 March 2021)

Madam President,

We have taken note of the Report of the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues.

2.  India is a diverse multi-lingual, multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-religious civilization, interwoven into an innate unity by the shared heritage, mutual respect and harmonious co-existence. The social, cultural and religious pluralism of India is reinforced by India’s abiding ethos of secularism and constitutionally mandated protection and promotion of fundamental rights including specific rights granted to minority communities.

3.  India guarantees justiciable fundamental rights to all its citizens, including freedoms of religion, speech and expression, as well as cultural and educational rights to religious and linguistic minorities. Independent institutions, including Judiciary, National Commission of Minorities and the National Human Rights Commission contribute in observance of these rights.

4.  India has undertaken numerous measures to empower all sections of society without any discrimination. Particular focus has been given to the rights of minority women, education of minority children, skill development of minority youth and protection and promotion of culture of minorities. Several schemes are being implemented for welfare of students of minority communities and their educational empowerment.

5.  Government has been granting Grants in Aid and providing loans at concessional interest rates to institutions and bodies supporting minorities in India. Hamari Dharohar Scheme or Our Heritage Scheme is a special scheme being implemented to preserve rich cultural heritage of minority communities.

6. India stands committed to fulfilment of rights of the minorities in line with the principles enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic minorities, Religious and Linguistic Minorities.

Thank you, Madam President.