“All such happenings are unfortunate. Minority commission does not justify this. And we are making efforts that such incidents may not occur in future” said NCM Chairperson
Ghazanfar Abbas, IndiaTomorrow.net,
New Delhi, June 17: Those who lynch people in the name of cow are not Gau Rakshaks, they are in fact hard criminals who are defaming the government and terrorizing the minorities, said Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi, newly-appointed Chairperson of National Commission For Minorities (NCM).
In an exclusive video interview with IndiaTomorrow.net, the NCM chairperson highlighted his priorities and spoke on various contemporary issues pertaining to religious minorities in the country.
Asked about lynching of dairy farmer Pahlu Khan by Gau Rakshaks (cow vigilantes) and other such attacks by them in the name of cow, Rizvi said: “They are not Gau Rakshaks, they are hard criminals who are doing such things to defame the government and also to terrorise the minority. This is a matter of law & order which is the subject of the state………. All such happenings are unfortunate. Minority commission does not justify this. And we are making efforts that such incidents may not occur in future.”
Excerpts of the Interview
Q 1- Probably you are the youngest NCM chairperson in decades, so expectations from you are high. What are your priorities or what are the main issues of minorities that you would focus on?
A- We have prepared a road map to identify the problems of the minorities at ground level. The Commission will reach out to minorities living in far areas and are not able to come here for their issues. We will organize camps in those places so that justice on the spot. We will also educate them about their rights and the schemes being run for them. We have selected 90 minority dominated districts for this.
Q 2- In the last two years, around a dozen people, mostly Muslims, have been lynched by self-styled Gau Rakshaks. Muslims are terrified. How are you going to tackle this?
A- I have spoken about this issue with the chief ministers of many states. These are not Gau Rakshaks, these are hard criminals who are doing such things to defame the government and also to terrify the minority. Government is taking steps to tackle this. This is a matter of law & order which is the subject of the state.
Q 3- So have you made any correspondence with the state governments in this regard as no consolidated action seems to have been taken in such cases?
A- No, govt. is taking action. Those who were involved in such cases were identified, charge sheeted, case was filed and they were arrested. So, it is wrong to say that state governments are not doing anything.
Q 4- But in most of the cases just on the bases of allegation the dairy farmers were attacked, booked and even their cattle were taken from them. And the victim families have not got back their cattle yet?
A- We have taken a cognizance of this. We are communicating with the respective state governments in this regard. All such happenings are unfortunate. Minority commission does not justify this. And we are making efforts that such incidents may not occur in future.
Q 5- Are you also talking to the state governments to compensate the victim families as in no case the compensation has been given?
A- In Jewar incident, we have got the victim families compensated. In the case of Pahlu Khan that happened in Rajasthan, we have also written to the state government to compensate the victim family as the victim was innocent and strict action should be taken against those who killed him.
Q 6- The new cattle trade law has banned sale of cattle for slaughtering and even for religious sacrifice. It’s seen as an attack on constitutional rights of people including religious minority who consume meat. Moreover, it is going to affect livelihood of millions of people. Will NCM recommend any solution to protect their rights?
A- NCM is holding a meeting on 22nd June in this regard. After discussion, we will see what possible solution can be taken out. And we will also advise the government accordingly.
Q 7- It’s an open secret that Muslims in general and BJP don’t have friendly relations with each other. Will you face any problem in addressing the grievances of the community?
A- If there is any distrust between minorities and the central government, this is also the responsibility of the commission to remove it and reduce the gap between both. We will also tell the minorities not to stuck with small things and take benefit of all the schemes being run for them.
Q 8- As per the Act of NCM, it is not a quasi-judicial body unlike NHRC and so it can’t take suo moto action on any matters. Do you think that the powers of minority commission should be enhanced?
A- It is true that NCM does not have the powers enjoyed by SC/ST and Women commissions. It has been trying to enhance its powers since previous governments. We have not the right to punish but we have the right to take Suo Moto action. We can also summon and call the person of concerned authority. We have taken Suo Moto in Jewar incident. We are making efforts to get judicial powers, let’s see when we get success.
