JAIPUR: MLA Adarsh Nagar (Jaipur) Rafeek Khan took charge of Rajasthan State Minorities Commission (RSMC) dealing with six religious groups — Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis and Buddhists — on Wednesday. The role of RSCM is to facilitate an equitable share for minority communities in education, employment, economic activities and to ensure their uplift.
“As the budget is around the corner, my first task is to suggest measures to the government on the overall development of the minorities. Soon, I will commission studies/research projects on educational, healthcare, working share of the minority communities,” said Khan.
Reacting to the hijab controversy, he said had the Karnataka State Minorities Commission (KSMC) acted on time, the issue would have never existed. “I feel that KSMC has failed to take suo motu cognisance on the issue lasting for a month at the right time which allowed the fringe elements to play their communal agenda. I wanted to assure the minority groups here they are allowed to practice their faith without any fear. The RSMC will play its role in ensuring such a constitutional crisis like situation doesn’t arise in the state,” said Khan.
The neutral evaluation of the impact of the existing social welfare schemes on the minority groups will be tabled before the CM Ashok Gehlot, said Khan, who added that the powers of the civil court entrusted to him will be used judiciously to ensure a result-oriented redressal mechanism.
The RSCM comprises five members including a chairman. Khan said that four other members will be chosen from the pool keeping in the mind their ability to impact over 1 crore of the state population which comes under religious minority groups.
