Parliament Question: Safety, Welfare and Protection of Minority Communities

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No-1969 ANSWERED ON – 11/02/2026 SAFETY, WELFARE AND PROTECTION OF MINORITY COMMUNITIES

1969. SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of recent reports and representations indicating that minority communities are facing repeated issues related to safety, discrimination, social insecurity and law and order disturbances and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of incidents reported during the last three years concerning minority communities in Punjab including cases of violence, intimidation, damage to religious places and denial of basic rights;

(c) the steps taken by the Union Government in coordination with the State Government to ensure the safety, constitutional rights and social harmony of minority communities in the State; and

(d) whether any special schemes, monitoring mechanisms or Central assistance have been initiated or proposed to address these concerns and strengthen confidence among minority communities in Punjab and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) Public order and Police are subjects under the State list in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. State Governments are entrusted with responsibility for prevention, detection and investigation of such crimes and for prosecuting criminals through legal processes.

The safeguards for the protection of interests of Minorities are mandated in the provisions of the Constitution of India under Articles 15(1) & (2), 16(1) & (2), 25(1), 26, 28, 29(2), 30(1), 30(1A), 30(2).

However, petitions are received in the National Commission for Minorities in which instances of violence, attacks, religious rights etc. are cited against minorities in the country. The Commission also takes Suo-Moto cognizance of these incidents.

(b) The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) does not maintain data under the categories of violence, intimidation, damage to religious places, or denial of basic rights.

However, data under the categories of law and order and religious rights are annexed as Annexure-I.

(c) & (d) As per Section 9(1) (d) of the NCM Act 1992, the petitions and Suo-Moto cases are taken up with the concerned Authorities/State Governments for redressal of grievances. *****Annexure- I Annexure referred in reply to part (b) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1969 for Answer on 11.02.2026 regarding “Safety, Welfare and Protection of Minority Communities”.

Grievances/complaints received from Punjab under the Category “Law and Order Matters” and “Religious Rights” during last three years in the National Commission for Minorities:

Category 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Law and Order Matters 08 25 19 Religious Rights 04 07 0