By: Pallab Ghosh
Radiance News Service 

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) organised the National Minorities’ Rights Day at the Dr Ambedkar Bhawan on December 18. The NCM comes under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Minority Affairs and regularly holds meetings, discussions to address issues of minority communities across the country. The NCM is also responsible for pulling up the strings of respective state governments in case of any communal violence or riots. 

Speaking on this occasion NCM Chairperson Iqbal Singh Lalpura said,  “jis desh mein hum rehtein hain diversity mein unity hai..." (Indian is so vast that we have diversity in unity here...) Lalpura, who took over the office in June this year is an IPS officer and has served during the Punjab insurgency. He is known for his straightforwardness in dealing with issues that come to the NCM.  The Sikh community present in the auditorium shouted 'Bole Sonihal...Satsriakal' as Lalpura rose to address the gathering.     

Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi addressed various issues concerning the minority communities and shared various policies and frameworks that his ministry has taken in this regard. The minister said, "India is perhaps the only country where people who do not believe in any religion or cult also enjoy equal religious and social security". Taking a pick at Pakistan, he said, "Not only Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Budhhists are unsafe in Pakistan but even their own people have no security. In India, all are safe and secured". 

Naqvi warned those who try to impose various diktats on women, "In India, we will not tolerate any Talibani impositions on the freedom of women, we are committed towards women empowerment without appeasement", added Naqvi. 

The minister also mentioned how his ministry has taken the initiative to increase the population of the Parsi community under the Jio Parsi programme, "350 children were born. Our ministry provides various assistance required by their families" 

Minister for State (MoS), Minority Affairs, John Barla shared his experience of working with Naqvi and said the Minority Affairs Ministry is doing numerous developmental work, "I was in Manipur recently and saw 13 residential schools are under construction having all modern amenities. Nearly Rs 25 crore is spent on each school". Barla said the remotest corner across India is developing under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who gave the clarion call 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' 

The MoS Minority Affairs requested all to come with proposals for developing their states, regions. "My doors are always open and you are always welcome to meet me. I assure my full cooperation. If your proposal is good then my ministry will fund your project. Please feel free to interact as together we can make this country beautiful", added Barla.  

Taking a jive at the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Barla said, 'Even non-BJP states are developing today but my own state is going backward. Didi has problems with every scheme or programme that Central government brings".     

The event was attended by a large number of people from all walks of life who had specially come for the programme.