Introduction
The Constitution of India declares the country to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic. On the basis of religion or language, the Constitution also grants the right to establish and manage educational institutions of their choice to all minority communities. Considering the socio-economic conditions of minority communities, various schemes are being implemented by the department to address their specific issues, promote their educational, socio-economic development, and bring them into the mainstream of the nation and society. The Minority Welfare Department is committed to the implementation, operation, and coordination of such schemes.
By Government Order No. 1183/XVII-3/11-07(63)/2006 dated December 2, 2011, approval was granted for the formation of the Uttarakhand Minority Welfare Directorate, and by the office memorandum No. 510/XXXI(1)/2002 Dehradun dated April 24, 2012, approval was granted for the formation of a separate Minority Welfare Ministry in the Uttarakhand Secretariat. The Minority Welfare Directorate was established to operate the various schemes under the Minority Welfare Department and to coordinate among the various components of the department.
In accordance with the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, letter No. F.No-4-3/2015 and letter No. F.No-2/37(2)/2014 S.S. dated 22.08.2014, and based on the recommendation made by the Director of Minority Welfare, Uttarakhand, Dehradun, the Secretary of Minority Welfare, Uttarakhand Government issued a government order on July 15, 2015 (letter No. 957(1)XVII-3/15-(29)/2015) for the issuance of minority certificates to the minority community.
Currently, the following communities are included in the minority community.
Details of minorities in the Uttarakhand State
| S.no/Description | Muslim | Sikh | Christian | Bodh | Jain | Parsian | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Population | 1,406,825 | 236,340 | 37,781 | 14,926 | 9,183 | – | 17,05,055 |
| 2.Percent(%) | 13.95% | 2.34% | 0.37% | 0.15% | 0.09% | – | 16.90% |
| S.no | District | Total Population | Minority Population | Percentage of Minorities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Haridwar | 1890422 | 673571 | 35.63 |
| 2 | Udhamsingh Nagar | 1648902 | 542342 | 32.89 |
| 3 | Dehradun | 1696694 | 268822 | 15.84 |
| 4 | Nainital | 954605 | 144178 | 15.10 |
| 5 | Pauri Garhwal | 687271 | 25981 | 3.78 |
| 6 | Almora | 622506 | 10135 | 1.63 |
| 7 | Tehri Garhwal | 618931 | 8433 | 1.36 |
| 8 | Champawat | 259648 | 9951 | 3.83 |
| 9 | Pithoragarh | 483439 | 7874 | 1.63 |
| 10 | Chamoli | 391605 | 5347 | 1.37 |
| 11 | Uttarkashi | 330086 | 4711 | 1.43 |
| 12 | Bageshwar | 259898 | 1992 | 0.77 |
| 13 | Rudraprayag | 242285 | 1708 | 0.70 |