Global Minority Index

Global Minority Index

News: The Centre for Policy Analysis (CPA), a research institute based in Patna, ranked India first on the 'global  minority index', in its Global Minority Report. The report tallied data from 110 nations assessing how each state  treated minority religions and the level of inclusivity it practiced. 

Key Highlights of Report:
• The approach of the study was mathematical, and it assesses how the minority religions were treated in  each country. 
• The factors for evaluating the countries were related to constitutional clauses, government policies, and  other more general indicators, such as the law of the land.
• It is the first international study to assign a grade to nations based on their treatment of respective  religious minorities and is also the first study conducted by non-Western and Afro-Asian countries to index  nations based on specific criteria. 

Key Findings:
• India remains on top of the index, followed by South Korea, Japan, Panama, and the US. Maldives,  Afghanistan, and Somalia figured at the bottom of the list. The UK is ranked 54, and the UAE 61.
• Regarding India's minority policy, the study claims its framework is centred on promoting diversity. The  report adds that in contrast to several other nations, no sect of any religion is outlawed in India.
• There are specific and exclusive provisions in the Indian Constitution for advancing religious minorities in  culture and education (For example Article 29 and 30 of Indian constitution), and provisions supporting  linguistic and religious minorities (Article 350B which provides for a Special Officer for Linguistic  minorities) do not exist in any other country's Constitution, says the study. 
• Due to its inclusive nature and non-discriminatory nature respecting other religions and their sects, India's  minority policy may be utilized as a model by the United Nations for other nations