Notifications under the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission Act, 2010
The Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department, through G.O.Ms. No. 18 dated 22nd February 2021, issued two notifications recognising specified natives of Tamil Nadu as religious or linguistic minorities for the purposes of the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission Act, 2010. The notifications do not govern land ownership, registration, planning, development or property transactions.
What the notifications do
The Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department issued G.O.Ms. No. 18 on 22nd February 2021. Through two notifications, the Governor of Tamil Nadu recognises specified persons who are natives of Tamil Nadu as religious minorities or linguistic minorities for the purposes of the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission Act, 2010.
The recognition is expressly limited to the purposes of that Act. The Gazette text does not describe any land rights, concessions, property restrictions or changes to land records.
Religious minorities recognised
Notification No. II(2)/BCMBCMW/108(h-1)/2021 recognises natives of Tamil Nadu belonging to the following communities as religious minorities:
- Christians
- Muslims
- Jains
- Sikhs
- Buddhists
A person must both belong to one of these communities and be a native of Tamil Nadu to fall within the recognition stated in the notification.
Linguistic minorities recognised
Notification No. II(2)/BCMBCMW/108(h-2)/2021 recognises natives of Tamil Nadu whose mother tongue is one of the following languages as linguistic minorities:
- Telugu
- Urdu
- Kannada
- Malayalam
- Sourashtra
- Marathi
The notification links linguistic minority recognition to the person's mother tongue and native status in Tamil Nadu. It does not describe documentation or a procedure for establishing either requirement.
Who may be affected
The notifications may affect people seeking recognition under the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission Act, 2010. Religious recognition depends on membership of a listed community, while linguistic recognition depends on having a listed language as the person's mother tongue. In both cases, the person must be a native of Tamil Nadu.
Relevance to property matters
G.O.Ms. No. 18 dated 22nd February 2021 does not change title, patta, registration, land classification, planning permission or development rules. Property buyers, owners and professionals will not find any property transaction requirement in the Gazette text. Its stated purpose is to identify religious and linguistic minorities under the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission Act, 2010.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does this notification change my land ownership or patta?
No. The Gazette text only recognises specified religious and linguistic minorities for the purposes of the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission Act, 2010, and contains no change to land ownership or land records.
Which religious communities are recognised?
Christians, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists who are natives of Tamil Nadu are recognised as religious minorities for the purposes of the Act.
Which mother tongues qualify for linguistic minority recognition?
The listed mother tongues are Telugu, Urdu, Kannada, Malayalam, Sourashtra and Marathi. The person must also be a native of Tamil Nadu.
Does the Gazette explain how to prove native status or mother tongue?
No. The notifications state the native status and mother tongue conditions but do not provide a proof or application procedure.
