No Christian Voice Yet: Fresh NCM Appointments Raise Concerns Over Continued Absence Since 2020

March 27, 2026: As fresh appointments are made to the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), questions of representation have once again come to the fore. The Ministry of Minority Affairs has inducted Dr. Munawari Begum, former Vice-Chairperson of the Haj Committee of India and a leader associated with the BJP Minority wing in Tamil Nadu, and Mumbai-based senior solicitor Advocate Berjis Desai as members, representing the Muslim and Parsi communities respectively; yet, the absence of a Christian member—ongoing since March 2020 after George Kurian demitted office—continues to draw attention.

The NCM, established to safeguard the rights and interests of India’s notified minority communities—Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains—has not had a dedicated Christian member since the completion of George Kurian’s tenure. Since then, successive reconstitutions of the Commission have not included a representative from the Christian community.

For many within the Church, this prolonged absence is significant, particularly at a time when concerns relating to religious freedom, attacks on places of worship, and legal challenges affecting Christian institutions continue to be reported from various parts of the country. The absence of representation, observers note, limits the community’s direct engagement within a key national body mandated to address minority concerns.

While there is no legal requirement for each notified minority community to have an individual representative in the Commission at all times, the spirit of the NCM’s mandate—ensuring inclusive and equitable representation—has prompted calls for a more balanced composition.

The latest appointments, though seen as strengthening the Commission, have therefore renewed appeals from sections of the Christian community for adequate representation. Many emphasise that inclusion in the NCM is not merely symbolic, but essential for ensuring that the concerns and experiences of the Christian community are heard and addressed at the national level.

As the Commission continues its work, the continued absence of a Christian member remains a matter of concern, with hopes that future appointments will reflect the full diversity of India’s minority communities.

By Catholic Connect Reporter