National and state minority commission

Constitution of India doesn’t define the word ‘Minority’ but has used the word minorities considering two attributes religion or language of a person. For minorities Constitution of India has envisaged a number of rights and safeguards. To provide enough Equality and to dwindled the discrimination, makers have spelt out various things in Fundamental Rights (PartIII); Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) and also the Fundamental Duties (Part IV-A). However, with rising right and rising wedge between right and left and also the ephemeral political aspirations of various Political Parties have diluted the discrimination safeguards.

The Union Government set up the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. Six religious communities, viz; Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains have been notified in Gazette of India as minority communities by the Union Government all over India . Original notification of 1993 was for Five religious communities Sikhs, Buddhists,Parsis,Christians and Muslims.

Functions and Powers

Evaluate the progress of the development of Minorities under the Union and States.
Monitor the working of the safeguards provided in the Constitution and in laws enacted by Parliament and the State Legislatures.
Make recommendations for the effective implementation of safeguards for the protection of the interests of Minorities by the Central Government or the State Governments.
Look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of the Minorities and take up such matters with the appropriate authorities.
Cause studies to be undertaken into problems arising out of any discrimination against Minorities and recommend measures for their removal.
Conduct studies, research and analysis on the issues relating to socio-economic and Educational Development Of Minorities.
Suggest appropriate measures in respect of any Minority to be undertaken by the Central Government or the State Governments.
Make periodical or special reports to the Central Government on any matter pertaining to Minorities and in particular the difficulties confronted by them.
Any other matter which may be referred to it by the Central Government.

The Commission has the following powers:

Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India and examining him on oath.
Requiring the discovery and production of any document.
Receiving evidence on affidavit.
Requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office.
Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents.

State minority commission

The recognition of any community as a religious minority means that the States should have a State level Commission to ensure that the rights and privileges allowed to the minorities under law are not denied to them. In a situation of difficulty a member of the minority community can invoke the law that safeguards his interests. In pursuance of this objective, each State in the Union including Union Territories are required to set up respective Minority Commission to cater to the needs and interests of the minority communities in the concerned states. However, the Union Minister for Minorities, while replying to a question in the Parliament disclosed that twelve States, including four ruled by BJP and its allies, and six Union Territories (UTs) have not set up Minorities Commissions at their respective levels. Incidentally, Jammu and Kashmir also figures in the list of twelve States with no Minority Commission.

National and State Minority Commissions

India is a country with a rich and diverse history and culture. The country is home to a number of minority groups, each with its own unique traditions and beliefs. In order to protect the rights of these minority groups, the Indian government has established a number of commissions, including the National Minority Commission and the State Minority Commissions.

The National Minority Commission was established in 1992 by the National Commission for Minorities Act. The Commission is responsible for protecting the rights of minorities in India and for promoting their welfare. The Commission has a number of powers, including the power to investigate complaints of discrimination against minorities, to recommend remedial measures, and to make reports to the government.

The State Minority Commissions were established by the State Minorities Commissions Act, 1992. The Commissions are responsible for protecting the rights of minorities in the states and for promoting their welfare. The Commissions have a number of powers, including the power to investigate complaints of discrimination against minorities, to recommend remedial measures, and to make reports to the government.

The National and State Minority Commissions have played an important role in protecting the rights of minorities in India. The Commissions have investigated a number of complaints of discrimination against minorities and have made a number of recommendations to the government. The Commissions have also played an important role in promoting the welfare of minorities.

However, the National and State Minority Commissions have also faced a number of challenges. One of the biggest challenges has been the lack of awareness about the Commissions. Many minorities are not aware of the existence of the Commissions or of the Services that they provide. Another challenge has been the lack of Resources. The Commissions have been underfunded and have not been able to carry out their work effectively.

Despite the challenges, the National and State Minority Commissions have made a significant contribution to the protection of the rights of minorities in India. The Commissions have played an important role in promoting the welfare of minorities and in ensuring that they have a fair chance to participate in the development of the country.

Ways to improve the functioning of National and State Minority Commissions

The National and State Minority Commissions are important institutions that play a vital role in protecting the rights of minorities in India. However, the Commissions have faced a number of challenges in recent years. These challenges include a lack of awareness about the Commissions, a lack of resources, and a lack of coordination between the Commissions and other government agencies.

There are a number of ways to improve the functioning of the National and State Minority Commissions. One way is to increase awareness about the Commissions. This can be done through public awareness campaigns, workshops, and seminars. Another way to improve the functioning of the Commissions is to increase their resources. This can be done by increasing the budget of the Commissions and by providing them with more staff. Finally, the Commissions need to improve coordination with other government agencies. This will help to ensure that the Commissions are able to effectively carry out their mandate.

Improving the functioning of the National and State Minority Commissions is essential to ensuring that minorities in India have their rights protected. By increasing awareness about the Commissions, increasing their resources, and improving coordination with other government agencies, the Commissions can be more effective in their work.

What is a minority?

A minority is a group of people who are different from the majority in a particular Society. This difference can be based on race, religion, ethnicity, language, or sexual orientation.

What are the rights of minorities?

Minorities have the same rights as the majority, including the right to life, Liberty, and security of person; the right to freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; the right to equality before the law; and the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

What is the National Commission for Minorities?

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) is a statutory body set up by the Government of India in 1992 to safeguard the interests of minorities in India. The NCM has the following functions:

To investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for minorities under the Constitution or any other law for the time being in force;
To promote and protect the interests of minorities;
To advise the Central Government on matters relating to the welfare of minorities;
To undertake studies and research on the problems of minorities; and
To make recommendations to the Central Government on any matter relating to the welfare of minorities.

What is the State Commission for Minorities?

The State Commission for Minorities (SCM) is a statutory body set up by the Government of a State in India to safeguard the interests of minorities in that State. The SCM has the same functions as the NCM, but its jurisdiction is limited to that State.

What are the challenges faced by minorities in India?

Minorities in India face a number of challenges, including discrimination, violence, and lack of access to Education and EMPLOYMENT. Some of the specific challenges faced by minorities include:

Discrimination in education: Minorities often face discrimination in access to education, both at the primary and secondary levels. This is due to a number of factors, including lack of access to quality schools, lack of scholarships, and discrimination by teachers and administrators.
Discrimination in employment: Minorities also face discrimination in employment. This is due to a number of factors, including lack of access to jobs, discrimination by employers, and lack of awareness of the rights of minorities.
Violence: Minorities in India are also often the victims of violence. This violence can be perpetrated by individuals, groups, or the State. Some of the specific forms of violence that minorities face include:
- Communal violence: Communal violence is violence that is directed against a particular religious group. This violence can take the form of riots, attacks on homes and businesses, and killings.
- Caste violence: Caste violence is violence that is directed against a particular caste group. This violence can take the form of attacks on homes and businesses, killings, and forced marriages.
- Targeted killings: Targeted killings are killings that are directed against a particular individual or group of individuals. These killings are often carried out by extremist groups or by the State.
Lack of access to Justice: Minorities in India often face challenges in accessing justice. This is due to a number of factors, including lack of awareness of the rights of minorities, lack of access to legal aid, and discrimination by the police and judiciary.

What are the initiatives taken by the Government of India to address the challenges faced by minorities?

The Government of India has taken a number of initiatives to address the challenges faced by minorities. Some of these initiatives include:

The enactment of the Protection of Minority Rights Act, 1992: This Act provides for the protection of the rights of minorities in India. It prohibits discrimination against minorities in a number of areas, including education, employment, and housing.
The establishment of the National Commission for Minorities: The NCM is a statutory body set up by the Government of India to safeguard the interests of minorities in India. The NCM has the following functions:
- To investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for minorities under the Constitution or any other law for the time being in force;
- To promote and protect the interests of minorities;
- To advise the Central Government on matters relating to the welfare of minorities;
- To undertake studies and research on the problems of minorities; and
- To make recommendations to the Central Government on any matter relating to the welfare of minorities.
The establishment of State Commissions for Minorities: The SCM is a statutory body set up by the Government of a State in India to safeguard the interests of minorities in that State. The SCM has the same functions as the NCM, but its jurisdiction is limited to that State.
The provision of scholarships and other financial assistance to minorities: The Government of India provides a number of scholarships and other financial assistance to minorities. This assistance is provided to help minorities access education, employment,

The National Commission for Minorities was established in:
(a) 1992
(b) 1993
(c) 1994
(d) 1995
The National Commission for Minorities is a statutory body established by the Government of India under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. The Commission is mandated to safeguard the interests of minorities and to promote their educational, economic, social and Cultural Development.
The Commission consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and six Members, all of whom are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
The Commission has its headquarters in New Delhi and has regional offices in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Guwahati.
The Commission has the following functions:
(a) To investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided for minorities under the Constitution or under any law for the time being in force or under any order of the Government of India;
(b) To promote and protect the rights of minorities and to ensure that they are not discriminated against;
(c) To advise the Central Government on matters relating to the welfare of minorities;
(d) To make recommendations to the Central Government on any matter relating to the welfare of minorities;
(e) To undertake studies and research on the problems of minorities; and
(f) To publish reports on its activities.
The Commission has the power to:
(a) Call for information from any person or authority;
(b) Require any person to furnish information;
(c) Enter any premises;
(d) Take evidence on oath;
(e) Require the production of any document; and
(f) Summon any person to appear before it.
The Commission is assisted by a Secretariat headed by a Secretary. The Secretariat has a number of officers and staff who provide support to the Commission in its work.
The Commission submits an annual report to the President of India, which is laid before Parliament. The Commission also submits special reports to the President of India on any matter relating to the welfare of minorities.
The National Commission for Minorities has played a significant role in promoting and protecting the rights of minorities in India. The Commission has made a number of recommendations to the Central Government on matters relating to the welfare of minorities. The Commission has also undertaken a number of studies and research on the problems of minorities. The Commission has published a number of reports on its activities.
The National Commission for Minorities is an important institution for the promotion and protection of the rights of minorities in India. The Commission has made a significant contribution to the welfare of minorities in India.