Why in the News?
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has advised State Governments/UTs to conduct “Sarv Dharma Meetings”.
Advisory on “Sarv Dharma Meetings”
- NCM advised State Governments/UTs to conduct “Sarv Dharma Meetings”:
- At Sub-divisional level of States monthly.
- At District level half-yearly.
- It is aimed at curbing attacks and hate crimes against minority communities to prevent communal disharmony.
- NCM emphasized that hate crimes stem from mental weakness and anger, highlighting citizens’ rights to practice and preach their religion freely.
Responsibilities and Recommendations
- Citizens and society urged to disown and condemn hate crimes.
- Advocated for punitive actions by authorities against anti-social elements.
- Proposed mechanisms involving civic society to deter anti-social and anti-national forces and prevent societal violence.
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About National Commission for Minorities (NCM)
- It is a statutory body formed on the basis of National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 and replaced an earlier body called Minorities Commission.
- The Commission consists of a total of 7 persons to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity.
- It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice- Chairperson and 5 Members.
- Each Member holds office for a period of 3 years from the date of assumption of office.
Functions of NCM:
- Evaluate minority development progress.
- Monitor constitutional and legal safeguards.
- Recommend effective safeguard implementation.
- Address complaints regarding deprivation of rights.
- Conduct studies on discrimination and recommend measures.
- Research socio-economic and educational development.
- Suggest measures to Central or State Governments.
- Make periodical or special reports to the Central Government.
- Address any matter referred by the Central Government.
Powers of NCM:
- Summon and enforce attendance of any person from India.
- Require discovery and production of documents.
- Receive evidence on affidavit.
- Requisition public records from courts or offices.
- Issue commissions for examining witnesses and documents.
Who are Minorities?
- The Central has notified minority communities at the national level in consultation with various stakeholders under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), Act, 1992.
- The six communities notified as minority communities under Section 2(c) of the NCM Act are Christians, Sikhs, Muslims, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains.
- Jains were notified as minority community in January 2014.
- Notification of any community-specific to a State as a minority community within a State comes under the purview of the respective State.
Total Minority Population in India as per 2011 Census:
19.3% of the total population (Muslims: 14.2%; Christians: 2.3%; Sikhs: 1.7%; Buddhists: 0.7%; Jains: 0.4%; Parsis: 0.006%)
Rights & Safeguards for Minorities:
Under Fundamental Rights (Part III of the Indian Constitution):
- Article 29(1): Right to conserve distinct language, script, or culture.
- Article 30(1): Right to establish and administer educational institutions.
- Article 30(2): Freedom from discrimination in receiving state aid.
Under Official Language (Part XVII of the Indian Constitution):
- Article 347: Rights for language spoken by any section of the population.
- Article 350A: Instruction in mother tongue.
- Article 350B: Special officer for linguistic minorities.
Sachar Committee Report (2006):
Constitution Date: 9 March 2005
Key Recommendations:
- Create a National Data Bank (NDB) for socio-religious data.
- Establish an Equal Opportunity Commission.
- Provide incentives for a ‘diversity index.’
- Ensure high-quality education for children aged 0-14.
- Set up government schools in Muslim-concentrated areas.
- Increase Muslim employment share in public-facing jobs.
- Enact state laws for minority representation.
- Support initiatives in Muslim-concentrated occupations.
- Improve minority participation in commercial banks.
- Focus on inclusive development while respecting diversity.
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PYQ:
[2011] In India, if a religious sect/community is given the status of a national minority, what special advantages it is entitled to?
- It can establish and administer exclusive educational institutions.
- The President of India automatically nominates a representative of the community to Lok Sabha.
- It can derive benefits from the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3 |
