The Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Commission celebrated World Minorities Rights Day as initiated by the United Nations Charter, in Hyderabad, AP on  18^th December, 2013, for the first time in the State, with a very enlightening Seminar on  the Rights of all the minorities. The Seminar was attended by a very august gathering.

The Hon’ble Chairman Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Commission, Shri Abid Rasool Khan welcomed the dignitaries and presented the vision for the minorities of the state. He also summarized the great work that has been done by the Minorities Commission  in the very short span of time since the government instituted the current commission. Shri Abid Rasool Khan thanked the UPA government for addressing the pressing needs of the Minorities of the Country and for being responsible for initiating and obtaining approval of Cabinet for “THE PREVENTION OF COMMUNAL AND TARGETED VIOLENCE (ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND REPARATIONS) BILL, 2011.” which was greatly appreciated by the august gathering.

The Seminar was graced by Shri Dr. A. Chakrapani, Chairman, Legislative Council, Andhra Pradesh as the Chief Guest and Prof. (Dr.) Faizan Mustafa, Vice  Chancellor, NALSAR University, Andhra Pradesh & Shri (Noel) Swaranjit Sen, Former Director General of Police, A.P as the  Guests of Honour along with other very eminent personalities who spoke on the challenges facing the Minorities and the various rights and schemes available to the Minorities under the Constitution of India.

CA. Percy Homi Italia of Secunderabad represents the Parsi/Irani Zoroastrian community in the Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Commission. 

The programme concluded with the following resolutions passed by the august gathering:

1. APPRECIATION OF THE UPA GOVERNMENT

“IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED and appreciated that the UPA Government had addressed the pressing needs of the Minorities of the Country and was responsible for initiating and obtaining approval of Cabinet for“THE PREVENTION OF COMMUNAL AND TARGETED VIOLENCE (ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND REPARATIONS) BILL, 2011.”

2.ISSUES RELATING TO THE CHRISTIAN MINORITIES

“IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT  the Commission address the various points of concern raised on behalf  of the Christian Community which are within the rights of the minorities under the Constitution of India and the various schemes that are available to the Minorities. “

3.SECURITY TO ALL MINORITIES

“IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT the Government be informed about the concerns of all Minorities relating to the security of Life and Property be protected at all times with fairness and under the Constitution of India.”

4. SECURITY TO ALL MINORITIES

“IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT the Government take up immediately the recommendations at the seminar that the reservations in jobs for the minorities in Government be implemented immediately as per the guidelines of the Government.”

5. JUSTICE TO ALL MINORITIES

“IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Government. should be informed that justice should be shown to all the minorities at the same level as all the citizens of the country.”

6. INFORMATION OF THE  RIGHTS OF THE MINORITIES

“IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT the Minorities Commission prepare a database of all the Rights, Reservations and Schemes available for the Minorities as a knowledge base for all the Minorities so that the common man can benefit from the information available in the public domain.”

7. RIGHTS OF THE MINORITIES TO EDUCATION

“IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT education should be available to all the members of the Minorities by setting up special Institutions of Higher education by the Government.”

“IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT the Government should encourage and support higher secondary educational institutions which are already in existence by way of funding and training for the teaching staff.”

8. MEDIA

“IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT the media should be sensitized to ensure reporting is in proper perspective.”

The programme was well received and appreciated by one and all. The seminar was telecast on the Web Media and the Electronic and Print media has given very good coverage to the programme. 

 

Courtesy : Jehangir Bisney