IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITIES

20th April, 2023 POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

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Context: The National Commission of Minorities (NCM) has condemned a video of the Dalai Lama that has been widely circulated on social media in which he asks a kid to "suck his tongue." According to the NCM, the video was modified and was part of a "disinformation campaign" against Buddhist beliefs.

Details

  • The NCM chairman and members all agreed that the video's content had been "tampered with."
    • The video has been manipulated. It has been blended in such a way that the video tarnishes the Dalai Lama's image.
  • The NCM stated that a "foreign power" was behind this act and that they would write to the government of India to enquire about the matter to intercede and prevent such unidentifiable online postings.

Must Read Articles:

National Commission for Minorities: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/national-commission-for-minorities

Minorities: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/minorities

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct about the National Commission for Minorities?

1. The Chairperson and the Members of the NCM are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a committee headed by the Prime Minister.

2. The NCM has a regional office in each state and union territory where minorities constitute at least 20% of the population.

3. The NCM can take suo motu cognizance of any matter involving deprivation of rights or discrimination against minorities and issue directions or orders to any authority.

4. The NCM can grant financial assistance to individuals or organizations for taking up cases involving a violation of rights or discrimination against minorities in courts.

Choose the correct option:

(A) 1 and 2 only

(B) 2 and 3 only

(C) 1 and 4 only

(D) 3 and 4 only

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. The Chairperson and the Members of the NCM are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, Union Home Minister, Union Minority Affairs Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha as Members.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The NCM does not have regional offices in every state and union territory. It has only one regional office in Kolkata which covers West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The NCM can take suo motu cognizance of any matter involving deprivation of rights or discrimination against minorities but it cannot issue directions or orders to any authority. It can only make recommendations to the government or other authorities for the effective implementation of safeguards or measures for the protection or welfare of minorities.

Statement 4 is correct. The NCM can grant financial assistance to individuals or organizations for taking up cases involving a violation of rights or discrimination against minorities in courts under Section 12(c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.

 

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/minority-commission-calls-dalai-lamas-video-tampered-says-foreign-power-is-behind-misinformation/article66756222.ece