On 24-25 July, 1998, the National Commission for Minorities held a Seminar on "Minorities in Modern India: Role, Responsibilities and Rights. Inaugurated by Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, the Seminar was addressed, among others, by Justice A.M. Ahmadi (who chaired the inaugural session), Dr. L.M. Singhvi, Kuldip Nayar, Balraj Puri, Prof. Amrik Singh, M. Varadarajan, Swami Agnivesh, Prof. Ansari, Syed Ameen-ul-Hasan Rizvi and Fr. John Vallamattam. Among the participants were also IGNOU VC A.W. Khan, NCW Member Mrs. Saiyidain Hameed, SJE Ministry Joint Secretary Dr. M.S. Ahmad, IOS Chairman Dr. Manzoor Alam, Dr. Subhash Kashyap, Justice Rajinder Sachar and Dr. Syed Farooq ...

The NCM Member Rev. Dr. James Massey delivered the Keynote Address. All the speakers stressed the need for change in people's attitude and mindset in respect of Minorities and of suitable amendments in the NCM law in order to strengthen it and enable it to play a more meaningful role. Many diverse problems facing the Minorities and various aspects of Majority-Minority relations at the National and State level were discussed at length. A Report (will) be submitted to the Union and State Governments.                                                                    (Source: The NCM Newsletter, Vol. II, No. 3, Autumn 1998)

Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee's Views

Independence, national integration, democracy and secularism are complementary to one another ... My Government is committed to all these four elements. (I) assure the minorities of full security and guarantee their participation in development ... We oppose communalism in any form. We should never forget that we are the citizens of one country ...