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NCM Officiating Chairperson Shahezadi replies on Bengal genocide, Kashmir Files and Hijab row

Radiance News Service
By: Pallab Ghosh


Syed Shahezadi who took over as Officiating Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) held a Press conference at her office to discuss and share the developments and achievements respectively. The meeting was attended by NCM members Rinchen Lhamo, Kersi Kaikhushroo Deboo, Dhanyakumar Jinappa Gunde representing Budhhist, Parsi, and Jain communities respectively. Also Dhanalaxmi, Director NCM. 



The Officiating Chairperson took up the following issues that were marked on the agenda for the Press conference:  

  • Madarsa teachers in Chattisgarh and Jharkhand have not been getting salaries for the last four years.    
  • The NCM plans to write to the Karnataka government which has allocated only a Rs 50 crore budget for the Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists out of a total budget of Rs 780 crore.
  • For past two years, the posts of chairperson and members are lying vacant in Urdu Academy, state Waqf Board, Madarsa Board, and State Minority Commission.  
  • Minority schools run under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, (PMJVK) projects are putting up the portraits of the state chief minister in Telangana whereas the central government is giving 60 percent of the grant. Hence, they should put the photograph of the President and Prime Minister.


Apart from she also replied to questions on 'Kashmir Files', Hijab row, and the Bengal genocide. Speaking on Hijab row, Shahezadi said "Country first, and we will have to abide by the Constitution. I do understand the religious sentiments but we must all respect the order". When asked why Quran Sharif or religious books were not being introduced n the school curriculum, she said, "It depends on the individual. We have never asked p[eople to read Bhagavad Gita or not to read Quran Sharif. Why make noise on everything that has a religious connection. Reading religious scriptures is completely upon the individual and their interests". "It can be part of philosophical reading also", added Officiating Chairperson NCM.

Reacting to Bengal, Shahezadi said, "NCM fully agrees there is lawlessness in the state and condemns what had happened in Birbhum. We will seek a detailed report from the Chief Secretary in the state in this regard". "However, we are also planning to visit the state sooñand take stock of the situation", added NCM Officiating Chairperson.


Rinchen Lhamo shared her experiences from her recent visit to Sikkim and Ladakh. She also mentioned that there is a great need to spread the message of NCM in these remote areas. She stressed the need to have a state minority commission in many regions including Sikkim as people in these regions are clueless as to where to lodge their complaints. Lhamo said her prime objective is to work for the people in these regions and ensure they get the advantages of the NCM. She said her visit to these places has helped her immensely to understand the situation and also how to go about it. "I am eager to visit northeast as there are so many Buddhists in these areas, I want to work for the betterment of the people", said Lhamo. 

Dhanyakumar Jinappa Gunde said his visits to south India were successful. 'I feel I am responsible towards the people of the region where I come from and I am glad I could reach out to the Jain community across south Indian states especially Andhra Pradesh", said Gunde. He said there are various issues that need to be handled sensitively being associated with religious sentiments. 

Deboo raised various issues that concern the Parsi community including reinstatement of Avestha-Pahlavi studies at Mumbai University for Post Graduate (MA) and Doctoral (Ph.D.) courses. 

NCM has been doing remarkable work for the past few years and such interactions help the Commission to reach out to the people and help them connect with the NCM and its members.