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INFO I

INTRODUCTION

Indian constitution is committed to the equality of citizens and the responsibility of the

State to preserve, protect and assure the rights of the minorities in matters of language,

religion and culture. India as a nation and Karnataka as a state have yet to go a long way to

achieve equality-based social justice by eradicating the historically inherited socio-economic

inequalities – horizontal(inter-group) inequalities as well as vertical(intra group) inequalities.

The development deprivation concerns of the excluded groups-including minorities. Muslims,

Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs and Parsis are considered as religious minorities in

Karnataka. The population of Religious minorities is 16.28% of the total population of the state.

With a vision to enable all the minority groups to lead a productive life with equal opportunities

ensuring Socio-Economic Justice & equality & to promote their own literature, culture, peace &

harmony Directorate of minorities came into existence in 1999-2000. Formulation &

implementation of developmental Socio-economic schemes with special focus on women

besides supervision & monitoring of schemes are the main functions of this Directorate. The

schemes covered by the department at the time of inception were only 4 major schemes viz.,

Construction of community hall/shadi-mahals, Hostels, Morarji Desai Residential Schools and

District level schemes.

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INFO II

POPULATION OF MINORITIES

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CHAPTER – 1

RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN INDIA AND KARNATAKA

Definition of Minority Communities

The following communities have been notified as minority communities by the Government of

India, Ministry of Minority Affairs;

1. Sikhs

2. Muslims

3. Christians

4. Zoroastrians

5. Buddhists

6. Jains

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RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN INDIA

The term ‘minority’ has not been defined in the Constitution or in any other enactment.

However, the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations’ Organisation in 1950 has

defined minority to include “only those non-dominant groups in a population which possess

and wish to preserve suitable ethnic, religious and linguistic traditions or characteristics

markedly different from the rest of the population”.

The practice of publication of community-wise data related to socioeconomic and educational

level of each group of the Indian people has been discontinued since 1951 census. Though

relevant data have been collected during each decennial enumeration operation after

independence, their cross tabulation and publication have been discontinued presumably

under the notion that they are divisive and undermine national integration.

Information and awareness about the socio-economic conditions of all segments on Indian

people will, on the other hand reduce inter group conflict by making more advanced and

affluent sections realize and accept the need for affirmative action programmes for

comparatively backward sections. By the same token, the latter will be inspired to strive harder

for their uplift.

Muslims in India

India's Muslim population of some 120 million is the third largest in the world – after those of

Indonesia and Pakistan – and forms the largest religious minority in India. They are not a

homogeneous group, divided as they are by language, ethnicity, culture and economic position.

The great majority are Sunni Muslims, and the remainder are Shi'a and various other sects such

as Bohras, Isma'ilis and Ahmadiyas. Muslims form a majority in the state of Kashmir, while

elsewhere they are concentrated in particular areas. The largest numbers are to be found in the

states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Kerala.

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In the north of India most Muslim communities speak Urdu, which is not a recognized official

language of India-largely because of the lack of a distinct majority population in a specific area.

Apart from Kashmir, Muslims are everywhere in a minority in India. A Muslim is someone who

follows or practices Islam, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion. Muslims consider the Quran,

their holy book. "Muslim" is an Arabic word meaning "submitter" (to God).

The religious practices of Muslims are enumerated in the Five Pillars of Islam: the declaration of

faith (shahadah), daily prayers (salat), fasting during the month of Ramadan (sawm), almsgiving

(zakat), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) at least once in a lifetime. To become a Muslim and

to convert to Islam is essential to utter the Shahada, one of the Five Pillars of Islam,

a declaration of faith and trust that professes that there is only one God (Allah) and

that Muhammad is God's messenger

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Muslim population in India has grown by 24 per cent between 2001 and 2011 against national

average of 18 per cent. Among all states in the country, Jammu and Kashmir has the highest

Muslim population (68.3 per cent), followed by Assam (34.2 per cent) and West Bengal (27 per

cent). Among the Union Territories, Lakshadweep has the highest Muslim population — 96.2

per cent.

Christianity in India

A Christian is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity,

an Abrahamic, monotheistic religionbased on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Christianity is India's third most followed religion according to the census of 2011, with

approximately 28 million followers, constituting 2.3 percent of India's population.It is

traditionally believed that Christianity was introduced to India by Thomas the Apostle, who

supposedly landed in Kerala in 52 AD. There is a general scholarly consensus that Christianity

was definitely established in India by the 6th century AD.

Christians are found all across India and in all walks of life, with major populations in parts

of South India and the south shore, the Konkan Coast, and Northeast India. Indian Christians

have the highest ratio of women to men among the various religious communities in

India. Christians are the second most educated religious group in India after Jains.

Even though Christians are a significant minority, they form a major religious group in

three states of India - Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland with plural majority

in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and other states with significant Christian population

include Tamil Nadu and Kerala.Christianity is widespread across India and is present in all states

with major populations in South India.

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Reservation issue

According to Article 25(b) of the Indian Constitution, any reference to "Hindu" denotes a

personal follower of Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, or Buddhism. Followers of religions other than

those classified as "Hindu" (Islam, Christianity, Judaism, etc.) are not given reservation

benefitseven when an individual belongs to the SC, ST, or OBC castes.

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Sikhism in India

Sikhs are a religious minority in the north-western state of Punjab, where they form a majority.

They are also scattered around different parts of India and the world. They number over 14

million, with another 3 or 4 million living outside India. Of the 14 million living in India, over 60

per cent are concentrated in their home state of Punjab. There are other significant Sikh

concentration in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Delhi. Sizeable Sikh populations

can be found in North-America, Europe and Australia. The Sikh religion dates back to end of the

fifteenth century and was founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539).

The term "Sikh" has its origin in the Sanskrit word meaning a disciple, or a student. Sikhism is

the fourth largest religion in India and has existed for 548 years, beginning with the birth of its

founder Guru Nanak. The Sikhs are predominantly located in Punjab, but also in many other

parts of India. Male Sikhs generally have "Singh" (Lion) as their middle or last name and female

Sikhs have "Kaur" (Princess) as their middle or last name. Sikhs who have undergone

the Khanḍe-kī-Pahul (the Sikh initiation ceremony) may also be recognized by the five Ks: Kesh,

uncut hair which is kept covered, usually by a turban; Kara, an iron or steel bracelet; Kirpan, a

sword tucked into a gatra strap or a kamalkasar belt; Kachehra, a cotton undergarment;

and Kanga, a small wooden comb. Initiated male and female Sikhs must cover their hair with a

turban.

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5 K’S OF SIKHS

A Sikh place of worship is called Gurdwara. Sikhism does not support pilgrimage to holy sites

because according to Sikhism, God is everywhere and not in any certain place. The Harmandir

Sahib in Amritsar in Punjab is a prominent Sikh Gurdwara.

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Langar (the communal meal)

Sikhism emphasises community services and helping the needy. One of the distinct features of

Sikhism is the common kitchen called Langar. In every Gurdwara there is a Langar . Every Sikh is

supposed to contribute in preparing a communal meal in the free kitchen. The meals are served

to all and are eaten sitting on the floor. Sikhism does not believe in holding fasts.

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LANGAR

The Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first Sikh Guru. The last Guru, Guru Gobind

Singh passed the Guruship of the Sikhs to the Eternal Guru of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth

Sahib (the sacred text of Sikhism). It also includes the writings of the Sikh Gurus and the

writings of Hindu and Muslims saints because all of these Bhagats and Bhatts shared the view of

one universal creator god, they have experienced unison with almighty. Every human being is

equal in front of Waheguru.

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The Khalistan movement is a Sikh nationalist movement, which seeks to create a separate

country called Khalistān - "The Land of the Pure" in the Punjab region of South Asia. The

territorial definition of the proposed country ranges from the Punjab state of India to the

greater Punjab region, including the neighbouring Indian states.

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Buddhism in India

Buddhism is a religion and dharma that encompasses a variety of

traditions, beliefs and spiritual practiceslargely based on original teachings attributed to the

Buddha and resulting interpreted philosophies. Two major extant branches of Buddhism are

generally recognized by scholars: Theravada (Pali: "The School of the Elders")

and Mahayana (Sanskrit: "The Great Vehicle")

Three Ratnas of Buddhism

1. Buddha

2. Dhamma – The teachings of Budhha

3. Sangha – Community of Buddhist monks and nuns

Dhamma

Teachings of Buddha are known as Dhamma.

The Four Great Truths:

1. The world is full of sorrow and misery.

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2. The cause of all pain and misery is desire.

3. Pain and misery can be ended by killing or controlling desire.

4. Desire can be controlled by following the Eight Fold Path.

AstangaMargha

Eight-fold Path of Buddha is known as Astangamargha. The Eight fold path is:

1. Right livelihood

2. Right observation

3. Right determination

4. Right action

5. Right meditation

6. Right exercise

7. Right speech

8. Right memory

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Jainism in India

A Jain is a follower of Jina. A Jina is a victor or Conqueror. The Jains are followers of certain

ascetics who obtained omniscience and who preached a doctrine which promises a super

mundane bliss of eternal salvation. Jainism originated centuries before Buddhism, but revived

by Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankar of Jainism.

Tirthankara:

A Tirtha is a religious pilgrim place. A Tirthankara is a founder of a Tirtha. He achieves the

enlightment and then shows the path to others. A Tirthankar achieves Moksha or liberation at

the end of his human life. There are 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism. The first Tirthankara was

Rishabhdev and Last 24th Tirthankara was Mahavira.

Mahavira:

Kundagrama where Mahavira was born is located in Muzaffarpur Bihar.

The most notable text about Mahavira is Kalpasutra by Acharya Bhadrabahu I. The first Sanskrit

biography of Mahavira was Vardhamacharitra by Asaga.

3 jewels of Jainism:

1. Right faith

2. Right knowledge

3. Right conduct

The principles of Jainism as preached by Mahavir-

1.Rejected the authority of Vedas & Vedic rituals

2.Did not believe in the existence of god.

3. Believed in karma & the transmigration of soul.

4. Lead great infancies on equality

Around 300 century B.C Jainism was divided into 2 parts:

1.Shwetambara:

Svetambara (white-clad) is a term describing its ascetics practice of wearing white clothes,

which sets it apart from the Digambara (sky-clad) Jainas, whose ascetic practitioners go naked.

Svetambara, unlike Digambaras, do not believe that ascetics must practice nudity.

Svetambaras also believe that women are able to obtain moksha. They maintain that the 19th

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Tirthankara, Mallinath, was a woman.

2.Digambaras:

It is one of the two main sects of Jainism. The Digambar sect of Jainism rejects the authority of

the Jain Agama compiled by Sthulabhadra. They believe that by the time of Dharasena, the

twenty-third teacher after Gandhar Gautama, knowledge of only one Anga was there.

According to Digambar tradition, Mahavir, the last Jain tirthankara, never married. He

renounced the world at the age of thirty after taking permission of his parents. The Digambara

believe that after attaining enlightenment, Mahavira was free from human activities like

hunger, thirst, and sleep. Monks in the Digambar tradition do not wear any clothes. They carry

only a broom made up of fallen peacock feathers and a water gourd.

One of the most important scholar-monks of Digambara tradition was Acharya Kundakunda.

Jaina Council:

First Council was held at Patliputra by Suthlabhandra in the beginning of 3rd century BC &

resulted in the compilation of 12 Angas.

Second council was held at Vallabhi in the 5th century BC under the leadership of

Devardhikashmashravan& resulted in the final compilation of 12 Angas & 12 Upangas.

Royal Patrons of Jainism:

Asoka’s Grandson Samprati King Kharvela of Orissa: set up jain rock cut cave. Gangas,

Kadambas, Chalukyas, Rastrakutas had patronized Jainism. King Amoghavarsha of Rastrakuta

dynasty became a Jain Monk. He wrote Ratnamalika. The Chalukyan period rock cut caves at

badami and aihole have the figures of Jain Tirthankaras. Samatabhadra in Kanchi preached this

religion. The Dilwara Jain temples at Mount Abu were built by Chalukya Dynasty kings between

11 to 13th century.

Jain Literature:

It is called Jain Agamas. They are canonical texts of Jainism based on Mahavira’s teachings.

There are in all 45 texts. 12 Angas, 12 UpangaAgams, 6 Chedasutras, 4 Mulasutras, 10

Prakirnaka sutras and 2 Culikasutras comprise of Jain literature.

Ahimsa is the fundamental principle of Jainism. Most Jains are vegetarians and this practice

shows their faith in the principle of Ahimsa. Apart from that there are 5 Mahavratas:

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• Non-violence (Ahimsa).

• Truth (Satya).

• Non-stealing (Asteya).

• Chastity (Brahmacharya).

• Non-possession (Aparigraha).

Parsis in India

Most of the Parsis (Zoroastrians) live in Maharashtra (mainly in Mumbai) and the rest in

Gujarat. Zoroastrians or Parsis are mainly the descendants of the tenth-century immigrants

from Persia.

The religious book of the Parsis is called source the Avesta, which includes a number of sections

in archaic language attributed to Zoroaster and which preserve the cult of the fire sacrifice as

the focus of ritual life. The religious and ritual life of pious Parsis revolves around sacred fires.

The most important rite for most lay Parsis is the Navjote. It is performed when a person is

between the age group of seven and fifteen. It initiates the young person into the adult

community of the Parsis. The Navjote ceremony involves purifying bathing, reciting Avesta -

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based scriptures, and being invested with a sacred shirt and waist thread (kusti) that should

always be worn after the ceremony. The dead Parsis are disposed of by exposure to vultures

Dakhmas (or towers of silence).

Religious minorities in Karnataka

Under the National Commission for Minorities Act of 1992, five religious communities -

Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Zoroastrians and Buddhists were notified as minority communities.

As per the 2001 census, these five religious minority communities constituted 18.42% of the

country's population.In line with the NCM Act, the state governments were expected to notify

the said religious groups as minorities through gazette notifications.The state governments

have been given powers to grant minority status to religious groups.

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Jainism in Karnataka

Jainism had a stronghold in Karnataka in the early medieval period at Shravanabelagola as its

most important centre. The first Tirthankara, Rishabha, is said to have spent his final days in

Karnataka. Both Jain philosophy and literature have contributed immensely to the religious and

cultural landscape of Karnataka. Jain influence on literature and philosophy is particularly

evident. Shravanabelgola, Moodabidri, and Karkala are famous for Jain history and monuments.

The Ganga Dynasty of Talakad built many Jaina monuments including the monolithic statue of

Gomateshwara at Shravanabelagola.

Buddhism in Karnataka

Buddhism was once popular in Karnataka during the first millennium in places such as Gulbarga

and Banavasi. A chance discovery of edicts and several Mauryan relics at Sannati in

the Gulbarga district in 1986 has proven that the Krishna river basin was once home to

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both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.In recent times, Buddhism thrives here and calls

Dzogchen monastery and the Dhondeling Tibetan refugee camps as home.

Buddhist sculptures at Kanaganahalli-Sannati site

Islam and Christianity

Islam, which had an early presence in the west coast of India as early as the 10th century gained

a foothold in Karnataka with the arrival of the Bahmani Sultanate and AdilShahi dynasty, which

ruled parts of Karnataka.

Christianity reached Karnataka in the 16th century with the arrival of the Portuguese and St.

Francis Xavier in 1545.

Today, Islam and Christianity have a sizable population in Karnataka and have contributed to

the cultural cosmopolitanism of the state.

Islam in Karnataka

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A Muslim cemetery in Chamarajpet, Bengaluru

Islam arrived in Karnataka and Kerala in the 7th century with Arab merchants trading in spices.

Muslims introduced coffee, incense sticks and the paper industry to the local

economy. Following the 12th century, various invading Islamic armies established sultanates in

this area such as the Bahamani sultanate of Bidar (1347–1510) and the Adilshahi dynasty of the

Bijapur Sultanate (1490–1686). This land came under Mughal rule in the 17th century under

Aurangzeb's rule. With the disintegration of Mughal rule, Hyder Ali and his son Tippu Sultan

established their rule over the Mysore area. They violently resisted British rule in the area, but

without adequate cooperation from other kingdoms, were defeated. Though killed by the

British in 1799, Tippu Sultan was one of the only Indian leaders to defeat the British in battle. In

addition, the Nizams of Hyderabad ruled over large parts of Northeastern Karnataka. This land

only became part of Karnataka after the passing of the 1956 States Reorganisation Act.

Muslims form approximately 12.91% of the population of Karnataka. While Muslims can be

found in all districts of Karanataka, Muslims have a stronger presence in: 1. Northern Karnataka

(especially in the area formerly ruled by the Princely State of Hyderabad) such as Gulbarga,

Bidar, Bijapur, Raichur and Dharwad.

2. The districts bordering Kerala such as Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu where

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Muslim Mappila presence is strong.

3. The cities of Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore.

On the other hand, the proportion of Muslims is lower in central Karnataka. The main spoken

language of Muslims in Karnataka is Urdu, spoken in the Dakhni accent. Most Muslims in

Karnataka also speak Kannada, Telugu and Sindhi. There are a large number of Muslim run

educational institutions in Karnataka. Muslims also have modestly higher levels of progress in

terms of education and wealth in Karnataka (as in the rest of South India) than in states of

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North India, as they are comparatively given more opportunities than their North Indian

counterparts.

Christianity in Karnataka

Christianity arrived in Karnataka between 1500-1600 CE with the Portuguese. the majority of

Christians are found in west coast of Karnataka that is from Karwar to Mangalore.

Mangalore has the largest population of Roman Catholics as compared to other parts of

Karnataka. They are mostly descended from Goan Catholics who immigrated from Goa in the

17th and 18th centuries. There are also some Protestants found in Karnataka. Many of them

are of local origin. Protestants are the result of British missionaries' work during the British

empire in India. However the British conversion was voluntary and not compulsory as

Portuguese was in most cases. Due to this the Protestants are less in number as compared to

the Catholics. Bangalore has a large number of Catholics as well as Protestant people.

St. Mary's Basilica is the only basilica in Karnataka and the oldest church in Bangalore.

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Sikhism in Karnataka

Sikhs had migrated to Karnataka during the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in early nineteenth

century and over the period lost touch with Punjabi/ Gurmukhi language and streamline of

Sikhism except keeping up the outward physical appearance. They engage themselves in the

profession of manufacturing crude household iron items like knifes and tongs etc., which they

directly market themselves. Being technically and economically weak they are not able to fight

market forces and are consequently struck in a hopeless vortex of poverty and misery.

They are scattered in many places of Karnataka like: Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli, Dharwad,

Belgaum, Bailhongal, Shiggaon, Yadgiri, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bijapur, Nipani, Koppal,

Gokak&Mudhol. The Karnataka Sikh Welfare Society has taken up the task of their upliftment in

the year 2000 on three counts with particular thrust focused on their younger generation,

which encouraged to acquire modern education, to provide them with pucca houses and to

bring them within the main streamline of Sikhism by facilitating their participation in religious

services at Gurdwaras, where they can also taught Gurmukhi.

Lingayat issue in Karnataka

Basavanna flourished Lingayatism in Karantaka.

In the 12th century, social reforms emerged in northern Karnataka as a protest against the

rigidity of the prevailing social and caste system. Leading figures of the movement such

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as Basava, AkkaMahadevi and AllamaPrabhu established

the AnubhavaMantapa where Lingayatism was expounded. Nearly 17% population of Karnataka

belongs to Lingayat sect. In 2018, the Government of Karnataka has given its nod to form

Lingayatism as a separate religion, but it is still waiting for approval from central government.

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