NCM seeks SIT investigation into the death of Kota student
Context:
Days after a 17-year-old NEET applicant was discovered dead in Kota, Rajasthan, under suspicious circumstances, the man’s father filed a report with the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) saying that his son was murdered. In response, the NCM wrote to Ashok Gehlot, the chief minister of Rajasthan, requesting that a special investigation team conduct the probe.
What is National Commission for Minorities?
- Under the National Commission for Minorities Act of 1992, the Government of India formed the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), a governmental organization.
- The NCM’s main goal is to defend and uphold the rights and interests of India’s linguistic and religious minorities. The commission strives to prevent discrimination and the denial of rights for minority communities while also ensuring that they are given equal chances.
What are the functions of NCM?
- Assessment of Minority Development Progress: The NCM is in charge of assessing minorities’ development under both the federal and state governments.
- Monitoring Safeguards: The commission keeps an eye on the effectiveness of the protections for minorities’ rights included in the Indian Constitution and laws passed by state and federal legislatures.
- Recommendations: The NCM makes recommendations for the successful implementation of safeguards and measures for the protection of minority interests to the federal government as well as state governments.
- Addressing Complaints: The commission takes up particular complaints with the competent authorities regarding the denial of minorities’ rights and protections.
- Studying Discrimination Issues: The NCM conducts research, analysis, and studies on issues related to discrimination against minorities and suggests solutions.
- Development in Socio-Economic and Educational Aspects: The commission carries out investigations and studies concerning the socioeconomic and educational advancement of minority communities.
- Suggesting Measures: The NCM makes recommendations for appropriate actions that the federal and state governments should take to promote the welfare and development of minority populations.
- Periodical and Special Reports: The commission provides periodic or special reports on issues affecting minorities, notably the challenges they encounter, to the federal government.
- Other Referred Matters: The NCM handles any other minority-related matters that the central government may refer to it.
What is the composition of NCM?
- Chairperson: The Central Government appoints the NCM’s chairperson, who is in charge of the organization. This person is in charge of managing the commission’s operations and acting as its leader.
- Vice Chairperson: A Vice Chairperson is a member of the NCM who supports the Chairperson in carrying out their responsibilities.
- Members: Five members are chosen by the Central Government to make up the NCM. These individuals are chosen for their greatness, aptitude, and honesty. Furthermore, out of these five members, the Chairperson and at least five other members are chosen from within the minority community itself.
What are the Rights in the constitution used to safeguard minorities?
- Right to Equality (Article 14): This right protects individuals from discrimination based on their gender, race, caste, or place of birth and ensures that all citizens, especially minority communities, are treated equally before the law.
- Right to Freedom of Religion(Articles 25-28): Articles 25 through 28 on the right to freedom of religion guarantee both the freedom to practice and the freedom to spread religion. Minority communities are allowed to run their religious institutions and build the schools they want. Additionally, the state is not allowed to have people pay taxes in exchange for supporting a specific faith.
- Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30): Article 29 stipulates that each group of citizens has the right to maintain their distinctive language, script, or tradition. Religious and linguistic minorities have the freedom to create and run the educational institutions of their choice thanks to Article 30. This safeguards the educational autonomy of institutions serving underrepresented groups.
- Protection of interests of minorities(Article 46): Article 46 of the Constitution mandates that the state advance the economic and educational interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other underprivileged groups, including minorities.
- Right to Representation (Articles 330 and 332): These articles guarantee that a set number of seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies be set aside for members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, which may also include minorities.
- Provisions for Official Languages (Articles 347, 350A, and 350B): The rights of linguistic minorities to protect and advance their languages are acknowledged by these laws. Additionally, they make sure that facilities are available for education in the home tongue and that specific officers are appointed for linguistic minorities.
