New Delhi : Addressing the annual conference of State Minority Commissions organized under auspices of Delhi State Minority Commission, the Vice President of India, Mr. Hamid Ansari appealed to the government to immediately frame a law on the pattern of SC-ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act 1989 in order to bolster the sense of security among minorities. Remarkably, no representative from ministry for minorities affair attended the conference.

Suggesting to the government to consider conferring the same powers to investigate into referred cases as have been given to National Human Rights Commission and SC/ST Commission, the vice president said, “National Minority Commission and its state level units were formed to protect the rights of all minorities and inculcate the sense of security in them but experience shows that this approach has been ineffective to some extent.”

However, he confided, “Lack of will and softness in approach may also be the reasons” and stressed, “Recent incidents in various parts of the country have added to minorities’ concern for security.” He expressed concern over state governments’ failure to provide adequate security in such cases.

Earlier, in his welcome speech, the chairman of National Minority Commission Mohammad Shafi Qureshi appealed to the government to control terrorism and communalism immediately asserting that “Both these curses are affecting the social fabric and the economy deeply.”

While various state commissions demanded the government solution to minority problems through the Planning Commission, the do Delegates from various states demanded a government mechanism to take government schemes to minorities. They also reiterated their demand to empower Minority Commission like a civil court and frame a model act for minorities’ protection.

The issues discussed in the conference include Delhi Slaughter House Case, IIM Schools for minorities, scholarships and free coaching, more publicity to minority schemes in both rural and urban areas.
 

This page is updated on February 6, 2009