Sun Jul 06 18:06:31 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article rewrite:
**Summary:**
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) in India is currently without a chairperson and most of its members since April 2025, a situation that has been ongoing since December 2024. This delay in appointments is not unprecedented and has drawn criticism from former chairpersons, members, and activists who question the NCM’s effectiveness and its vulnerability to political influence. The vacancies are also impacting the functioning of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI). Critics argue that the delay reflects a lack of government priority for the welfare of minorities, especially in the face of rising hate speech. Responses are awaited from the Union Ministries of Minority Affairs and Education.
**News Article:**
**Indian Minorities Commission Crippled by Leadership Vacuum**
**New Delhi, July 6, 2025** – The National Commission for Minorities (NCM), tasked with safeguarding the rights of minority communities in India, is currently operating without a chairperson and with a severe shortage of members, raising concerns about the government’s commitment to minority welfare.
The NCM has been without a full complement of members since December 2024, with the previous Chairperson, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, having retired in April 2025. Five members, including the chairperson, have retired since December 2024, with no new appointments made so far. The commission, which should have seven members including a chairperson and vice-chairperson, is mandated to include representation from the six designated minority communities: Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, and Jain.
This leadership vacuum is impacting the functioning of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), which has been operating with a single working member for almost two years.
Critics argue that the delays are symptomatic of a deeper issue. Former NCM Chairperson Tahir Mahmood has previously described the commission as a “showpiece,” questioning its effectiveness. A former NCM member, speaking anonymously, alleged that the commission has historically been populated by individuals with close ties to the ruling party.
“The long delay in appointing a new Commission with a Chairperson and members clearly shows that the welfare of religious minorities is not high on the list of priorities of the government,” said human rights activist John Dayal.
Justice (Retd.) M.S.A. Siddiqui has expressed displeasure, urging political leaders to raise this issue in Parliament.
The situation comes at a time when concerns about rising hate speech and hate crimes are prevalent, further amplifying concerns about the lack of effective minority representation.
The Union Ministries of Minority Affairs and Education have yet to respond to requests for comment. The delay raises serious questions about the effectiveness of mechanisms designed to protect the rights of minority communities in India.
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