Minority Rights Day, 18 December, 1999 Minorities Council's Appeal to the State and the People


 

1. Data on the social, educational and economic condition of minorities collected.by the Census from 1951 to 1991 (should be published) and the Census Commissioner (should be- directed to publish) such community-wise data in future.

2. The Composition of the proposed Commission for Review of the Constitution should reflect the social Uiversity of the people of India and its terms of reference should include bringing the provisions of the Constitution into full conformity with the UN Declaration on Minorities, 1992

3. Stop all measures underway for cultural assimilation of minorities in the name of Indianisation or value education. On the other hand, the governments should fulfil the positive obligations put on them by the UN Declaration to create conditions favourable for preservation and promotion of linguistic, cultural and religious identity of minorities.

4. Stop periodic recurrence of violence against minorities - Muslims, Sikhs and lately Christians -impunity enjoyed by perpetrators of violence, their instigators and erring officials should end. All of them must be speedily brought to justice including political leaders and officials responsible for anti-Sikh riots of 1984 and those responsible for the demolition of Babari Masjid and the widespread riots in 1992-93, and those involved in hate campaign and violence against Christians during 1998-99.

Compensation to all victims of riots irrespective of their faith ... in accordance with the Delhi High Court judgement of July 1996 for victims of Delhi Anti-Sikh Riots of 1984.

5. Implement the recommendations submitted by the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) for Prevention and Control of Riots (1998), especially its recommendation to establish a Statutory Community Relation Commission and to provide 25 per cent representation to minorities in the police and all other wings of law enforcement machinery.

6. Review the electoral system, the constituency formation and other related matter's with a view.to ensuring adequate representation to minorities in all .elected bodies under the system of joint electorate.

7. Take special measures by way of affirmative action, including reservation for backward minorities inadequately represented in public services and educational institutions.

8. Give adequate representation to minorities in all official panels, commissions, committees, boards. university system and judiciary.

9. Establish an Equality Commission to study the sources, nature and modalities of discrimination and for taking measures for ensuring equality of opportunity to all citizens irrespective of group affiliation.





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