Kersi Deboo is the first Parsi to be appointed vice chairperson of the National Minorities Commission (NMC). "I replaced Atif Rasheed who vacated office in February this year… since then the post was lying vacant,” Deboo told Parsiana on June 17, 2022. He was welcomed to the position by NMC chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura and other members at the June 15 monthly meeting. A colorful touch was added when Dhanyakumar Gunde, the Jain member, tied a bright orange paghdi on his head and presented him with a yellow silk shawl; Commission member Rinchin Lamho (Buddhist) was also present. The fifth person in the five-member body is Syed Shahezadi. Under Section 3 (2) of the NCM Act, the Commission should consist of a chairperson, a vice chairperson and five members "nominated by the central government from among persons of eminence, ability and integrity.” Deboo was appointed to the Commission in November 21 (see "Commissioned to represent,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, December 7-20, 2021).
Kersi Deboo (l) with Jain member of the National Commission
for Minorities Dhanyakumar Gunde
"As a member I had to look after six states only… Now I have to look after minority matters in all states…I will have to conduct meetings in the absence of the chairperson,” stated Deboo.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs’ (under which the Commission functions) notification of June 3 states Deboo will hold the office "for the remaining period of three years from the assumption of office as member, i.e. November 24, 2021.”
Statesman and former member of the Swatantra Party Minoo Masani was the chairperson of the first ever Minorities Commission in 1978; Parsis have been represented on most three-year stints of the Commission ever since. Farrokh Jijina