The Centre on Thursday (July 16, 2026) appointed Harjit Singh Grewal as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), filling a post that had remained vacant since April 2025 after the tenure of Iqbal Singh Lalpura ended. He is the second Sikh leader to head the statutory body in succession.According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Minority Affairs on July 16, Munawari Begum has been appointed the Commission’s Vice-Chairperson, while Glenn E. Souza Ticlo has been named a member. Their appointments will be for a term of three years from the date they assume office or until further orders.A senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Punjab, Mr. Grewal has long been associated with the party’s outreach among the Sikh community. He has held several organisational positions in the party and has been an active voice on issues relating to Punjab and national security.With the appointment of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and a member, the Commission now has four members against its sanctioned strength of seven. Constituted under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, the NCM monitors constitutional and legal safeguards available to notified minority communities, examines complaints alleging deprivation of their rights, and advises the Centre on policy matters concerning minorities. Published - July 17, 2026 08:39 pm IST