The stir regarding minority representation has once again intensified in the politics of Uttar Pradesh. The process of formation of State Minority Commission, which was lying vacant for almost two years, now seems to be gaining momentum after the strictness of the High Court. The coronation of former minister Mohsin Raza to the post of chairman of the commission is considered almost certain. A fresh proposal has been sent by the government regarding the names of the chairman and seven members of the commission.
The formation of the Commission is not only being seen as an administrative appointment, but political implications are also being derived from it. Especially before the 2027 assembly elections, this is being seen as an effort by the Bharatiya Janata Party government to strengthen its reach and representation among minority communities. Mohsin Raza has already been a minister in the Yogi government and has been the main face of the party on minority issues.
The tenure of the commission was to end in 2024.
The state government had appointed Ashfaq Saifi as the chairman of the State Minorities Commission in June 2021. Along with him, seven members were also appointed in the commission. Ashfaq Saifi's tenure ended on 29 June 2024. The tenure of the member Parvinder Singh appointed after this also completed in August 2024. After this, due to lack of new appointments in the Commission, the posts remained vacant for a long time. The matter reached the High Court regarding this. During the hearing, the court sought answers from the government officials and took a strict stance regarding the formation of the commission.
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Government's efforts after HC's strictness
The next hearing of the case in the High Court is proposed in the third week of September. The officials informed Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath about the court's stand and the case. After this, the process of formation of the commission was taken forward. The proposal for the names of the chairman and seven members was sent earlier also by the department, but the file was returned from the higher level. Now it has come to light that a fresh proposal has been sent. There seems to be an in-principle consensus on making former minister Mohsin Raza the president.
Representation of many minority communities
The government is also preparing to give representation to various minority communities in the commission. In this, different sections including Jain, Buddhist, Sikh and Parsi communities are expected to get places. Due to this, the formation of the commission is also being seen as an attempt to provide wider social representation. Politically, this step is also considered important because preparations for the 2027 assembly elections are gradually gaining momentum in the state. At such a time, appointments in a constitutional body like the Minority Commission can become a medium for the Bharatiya Janata Party government to create social equations and deliver political messages to the minority sections.
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Preparing to give political message before 2027?
Amidst the discussion about handing over the command of the Commission to Mohsin Raza, it is being linked in political circles to the minority policy of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Raza has been the face of minority politics with the Bharatiya Janata Party for a long time. In such a situation, by making him the Chairman of the Commission, on the one hand the government will move towards compliance with the instructions of the High Court, and on the other hand, efforts will be made to give a message at the political level. Now eyes are on the final decision of the government. If the proposal is approved, the commission, which has been inactive for almost two years, will be able to get a new chairman and members. After this, the Commission will be able to become active in the role of giving suggestions to the government on matters related to the interests, complaints and welfare of minorities.