In the wake of increasing cases of vandalism at religious places and riots in the national capital, the Delhi Minority Commission has constituted a 20-member 'peace committee' to check such incidents.
Releasing the annual report of Delhi Minority Commission here, the panel's Chairman Qamar Ahmed said the peace committee has four members each from its five minority advisory committees representing Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis.
"Earlier, we used to have only three advisory committees committees but now we have two more representing Jain and Buddhist communities. These advisory committees recommended forming a peace committee," he said.
According to Ahmed, the commission received 111 petitions in 2014-2015, out of which 78 were disposed.
On initiatives taken by the commission, he said, "Our team visited riot-hit Trilopuri area and tried to maintain communal harmony. We also helped in successfully carrying out Muharram processions in Bawana where tension had erupted. We visited churches in Rohini, Vasant Kunj, Dilshad Garden and Vikaspuri where vandalisation had taken place.
"The commission also held a meeting with community leaders and with the police," Ahmed added.
Last year, the commission also organised seven awareness camps in minority-dominated areas to spread awareness about education scholarships and financial assistance schemes of the central and state government. "Due to these camps, the number of applicants for scholarships has gone up this year. This year we target to hold over 15 camps," Ahmed said.
According to the annual report, the commission also conducted a study on the shortage of Urdu teachers in schools of Delhi government and submitted its report to it.
Ahmed also said that the national capital at present did not have any competent authority to issue minority status to institutions. "Without minority certificates, the institutions cannot avail the benefits of government welfare schemes. We are pursuing the matter," he said.
