Both religion and language
Explanation
The Constitution of India provides specific protection to minorities under Part III (Fundamental Rights), particularly through Articles 29 and 30. While the Constitution does not define the term "minority," it explicitly mentions the grounds upon which minorities are recognized for the purpose of educational and cultural rights.
Constitutional Provisions
Article 30(1) of the Constitution mandates that "All minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice."
This provision establishes that the Constitution recognizes minorities based on two specific criteria:
- Religion
- Language
Other factors such as ethnicity, race, or place of birth are not explicitly mentioned in Article 30 as criteria for determining minority status.
Key Takeaway: Under Article 30 of the Constitution of India, minorities are identified primarily on the basis of religion and language.