Aligarh: Centre for Promotion of Educational and Cultural Advancement of Muslims of India (CEPECAMI), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) organised an extension lecture to mark Minorities Rights Day on Wednesday.
Professor Mohibul Haque, Department of Political Science, AMU, while explaining the definition of minority, said several provisions of the Constitution of India guarantee linguistic and cultural development and preservation of identity of every citizen and religious linguistic minorities of India. Minorities have full rights to protect their language, culture and religious identity.
He said the status of a minority is different in various states, like in Kashmir, Muslims are in majority and people of other religions are in minority. The same is the case in Punjab and some other states.
Professor Mohibul Haque explained the UN Charter and adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious, and Linguistic Minorities in 1992.
According to this charter, opportunities will be provided to preserve the culture and religion of every minority. The state will protect linguistic and cultural rights, provide opportunities for the development of their identity and protect all these rights by enacting legislation. He delineated the UN resolution containing nine articles.
The Director of the Centre, Mr. Naseem Ahmed Khan also discussed the minority rights. He extended thanks to the speaker and attendees.
