Minorities panel will act as bridge between govt, communities: Rizvi

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) will act as a bridge between the government and the communities at a time an "atmosphere of fear is being created" among them, its chairman Gairul Hasan Rizvi has said.
Former national secretary of BJP's minority morcha Rizvi, who took charge of the post today, said the NCM would adopt proactive approach to reach out to minorities to ensure speedy justice to them.
"An atmosphere of fear is being spread among minorities. The NCM's job basically will be to create a sense of security amongst minorities that their fundamental rights are secured," Rizvi said, without naming any individual or party.

"The NCM will work like a bridge to ensure there is no trust deficit between the government and minorities," he added.
When pointed out that none of the members appointed to the Commission has served in the judiciary or the administration, Rizvi said that it would not affect the panel's functioning.
He said that they had served in the social sector and were well aware of ground realities.

Rizvi said that the remaining four members of the Commission would take charge of their respective posts on Monday, when they would also decide areas where they would reach out to address grievances of the communities.

The government had on May 24 declared appointment of Rizvi as the Commission chairman, over two months after the previous panel was left with no member.
BJP leader from Kerala George Kurian, former Maharashtra minister Sulekha Kumbhare, Jain representative from Gujarat Sunil Singhi and Parsi representative Vada Dasturji Khurshed Kaikobad Dastoor are the other members of the panel.
Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi and Jain are the six notified minority communities in the country.