NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITIES

India is a nation marked by diversity and multiculturalism. Due to its varied past, it has
assimilated people of other cultures and traditions over the centuries. These people now constitute
the population of India. Some of them fall under the category of minority groups based on ethnic,
religious and linguistic factors. Soon after the independence, the members of the Constituent
Assembly felt the need to bring one and all under one entity. Therefore, the Constitution was
framed in a manner so as to guarantee the rights of all the citizens. Over the years, due to some
vested interests, fissures were felt on different issues; at the same time, the awareness of rights
has also necessitated that the Constitutional guarantee of rights be fulfilled. 

As more and more people began voicing their concerns, the demand for an appropriate body to
address these issues also gained momentum and resultantly, The National Commission for
Minorities Act came into existence in 1992. In 1978, a Minorities Commission was set up to
instill confidence among the minorities for ensuring implementation of the safeguards and the
law. Later, to give a statutory status to the Commission was decided and thus the National
Commission for Minorities Bill, 1992 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 4th May, 1992. This
status would not only infuse confidence among the minorities about the working and effectiveness
of the Commission but also would carry enough weightage with the Central/ State governments
and also Union Territory Administrations.

 It has a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and five members nominated by the central government
from amongst the persons of eminence and integrity and the members should be necessarily from
the minority communities. They assume office for a period of three years and could be removed
only on grounds of incapability, unsound mind, holding another post simultaneously or convicted
or sentenced.

The functions of the Commission include:
1. Evaluating the progress of the development of minorities issues in India;

2. Monitoring constitutional and legal safeguards for minorities, as enacted by the Parliament and State Assemblies;

3. Recommending effective implementation of safeguards for the protection of minority
interests by the Central Government or the State Governments;

4. Focusing on specific complaints regarding the deprivation of rights and safeguards of
minorities;

5. Suggesting appropriate measures to be undertaken by the Central Government or the
State Governments;

6. Make periodical or special reports to the Central Government on any matter
pertaining to minorities and in particular difficulties confronted by them;

7. The commission is empowered to summon or enforce attendance of any person from
any part of India and examine him on oath;

8. Requisition of any public record or copy thereof from any court or office;

9. Issue commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents;

10. Cause studies to be undertaken into problems arising out of any discrimination against
minorities and recommend measures for their removal.