PTC Web Desk: The Central Government has appointed Harjit Singh Grewal as the new Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) for a period of three years. He succeeds Iqbal Singh Lalpura, who earlier headed the commission.

Grewal has been one of the prominent Sikh faces of the BJP, particularly in Punjab. Over the years, he played an active role in the party's farmers' wing and frequently represented the BJP's views during the farmers' protest through media interactions.

In recent years, however, Grewal's public political role had become less visible, especially after several leaders from other political parties joined the BJP in Punjab. Political observers believe his appointment to the commission gives him an important constitutional responsibility while bringing his experience back into public service.

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Along with Grewal's appointment, the Central Government also named S  Munawari Begum as the vice-chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities, representing the Muslim community.

Additionally, Glen E Souza Ticklo has been appointed as a member of the commission to represent the Christian community.

The new appointments are aimed at strengthening the functioning of the National Commission for Minorities, a statutory body responsible for monitoring the implementation of constitutional and legal safeguards available to notified minority communities across the country.

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