Currently, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has no chairman or members.

Current Status of NCM

• Non-Functional Commission: The NCM is presently non-functional, with the posts of Chairperson and Members vacant. 
  • A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking directions for its reconstitution.
• Criticism:  Many argue that even if the Commission were reconstituted, it would not significantly affect the lives of minorities. 
  • The Commission is described as a “useless body” that has failed to secure minority rights even after 47 years of existence.

Historical Context and Evolution

• Initial Formation (1978): The NCM was created in 1978 as an Executive Body through a resolution of the concerned Ministry. 
  • It was established alongside a similar commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to monitor constitutional safeguards.
• Demand for Enhanced Status: There was an early demand to elevate the NCM to either a Statutory or Constitutional Body.
• Turning Point (1992): In 1992, the Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was given Constitutional Status under Article 338. 
  • The NCM, however, was not granted constitutional status and was later given Statutory Status through a dedicated Act of Parliament.
• Focus Areas:  After attaining statutory status, the NCM directed its attention toward:
  • Article 29: Protection of minority language, script, and culture.
  • Article 30: Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
• Powers of NCM: The NCM has civil court-like powers, allowing it to summon individuals, request documents, and record evidence during investigations.

Limitations and Challenges of NCM

• Advisorial Role:  The Commission’s role is purely advisory and non-binding. 
  • It cannot impose penalties, enforce its orders, or ensure compliance with its recommendations.
  • This restricts its ability to deliver tangible outcomes or hold violators accountable.
• National Human Rights Commission Factor (NHRC): The NHRC was created in 1993. 
  • The NCM Chairperson was made an ex officio member of the national human rights framework. 
  • This diluted the independence of the Commission, making it subordinate to the broader human rights structure.
• Creation of a Separate Educational Commission (2004): A specialized body for minority educational institutions was later created. 
  • Since education (Article 30) had been a major focus area, this transfer of responsibility left the NCM with little substantive work. 
  • It became a “lame commission” with limited relevance.
• Lack of Autonomy: The NCM functions without real independence and remains administratively controlled, limiting its ability to act effectively.
• Minimal Impact: In over four decades of existence, the Commission has not brought any substantive improvement in the lives or rights of minorities. 
  • Its work has been largely symbolic, failing to translate constitutional provisions into meaningful protections.
• Redundant in Practice: With limited powers, overlapping institutions, and negligible outcomes, the NCM has become a bureaucratic formality rather than a functional guardian of minority rights.
  • It is viewed as a drain on public resources with minimal utility.
• Systemic Neglect: Other minority-related reports and committees have also failed to produce significant policy action, reflecting a wider pattern of systemic neglect in advancing minority welfare and representation.

Ranganath Misra Committee Recommendations

• Background: Established in October 2004 as a temporary Commission to examine socially and economically backward sections among religious and linguistic minorities.
  • Became functional in 2005 and submitted its report in May 2007.
• Key Recommendations: 15% reservation in government jobs, special focus on muslim community.

Conclusion

The NCM’s trajectory highlights the gap between institutional existence and effective empowerment. 

• Without enforceable powers, autonomy, and political will, such commissions remain toothless watchdogs. 

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