Chairman, NCM, Iqbal Singh Lalpura held a meeting on 22.9.2023 with a delegation from Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Asia Pacific Section comprising Rory Mungoven and Georgia Drake from Geneva at National Commission for Minorities, New Delhi.

Hon'ble Vice-Chairperson, Kersi Kaikhushroo Deboo, Members, Rinchen Lhamo and  Syed Shahezadi and senior officials also attended the meeting.

The delegation led by Mungoven was accompanied by officials from the Ministry of External Affairs. Issues including discrimination against minorities, communal riots, conversion, lack of education and employment opportunities for minorities and minority rights in India were discussed during the meeting.

Sharing his views about India, Rory Mungoven said, "India is a unique case of religious coexistence. There's no doubt that differences based on religion exist here, however, one cannot deny the level of cordiality with which these differences are handled." Further, he enquired about the status of minority rights in India and NCM's role in the management of the former.

Chairman, NCM discussed the efforts being made by the Government of India to promote the welfare of minority communities at par with the majority community.

He said, "Since independence, India has witnessed a substantial increase in the population of minorities. While the majority community has benefited from 125 schemes of the Central Government, with PM's 15-Point Programme, minority community has total 140 schemes to avail benefits from."

He added, "Being a quasi-judicial body, NCM takes care of all the issues bothering minorities including discrimination, housing, education and employment. Apart from sending advisories and conducting hearings, the Commission visits district headquarters and other places for 15 days in a month. With such efforts and the support of the Government of India, we are ensuring the safety of minority rights."

NCM is in contact with the expert advisors including intellectuals, NGO experts, senior advocates, retired judges, retired civil/army/gazetted officers, religious preacher, Padma Awardee decorated and international sports persons, which was appreciated.