NEW DELHI: After remaining without a chief for 15 months, National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Tuesday saw its new chairman Harjit Singh Grewal, assume charge. He is the second Sikh to head the body under the Modi govt after Iqbal Singh Lalpura. The post had been vacant since April 2025, when Lalpura’s three-year term ended.Before Lalpura and Grewal, the NCM had largely been headed by members of the Muslim community since its inception in 1993, except between 2003 and 2006, when Tarlochan Singh was chairperson. Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi was NCM chief from May 2017 to 2020. He was preceded by Naseem Ahmad (2014-2017).Grewal’s appointment gains significance as it comes ahead of 2027 Punjab assembly polls. A senior BJP functionary and national executive committee member from Punjab, Grewal is regarded as one of the most vocal Sikh voices in the state.A notification on Grewal’s appointment was issued by ministry of minority affairs on July 16. He will serve a three-year term from the date he assumed office, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.The ministry said his appointment marked “the beginning of a renewed commitment towards promoting the welfare, inclusion, empowerment and socio-economic development of minority communities.”Muslim representative S. Munawari Begum took charge as NCM vice-chairperson, while Glenn Souza Ticlo joined as the Christian representative. Parsi representative Berjis Desai joined the commission in March.The NCM now has a chairperson and three members, with three posts still vacant.
