(a) whether the Government has taken action on the issue of disruption of communal harmony and national integration;
(b) if so, the measures taken in this regard;
(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote communal harmony and national integration in the country; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) to (d) “Public Order” and “Police” are State subjects as per the provisions of the Constitution of India. To maintain communal harmony in the country, the Central Government assists the State Governments/Union Territories Administrations in a variety of ways like sharing of information, sending alert messages, sending advisories, sending Central Armed Police Forces including the composite Rapid Action Force created specially to deal with communal situations, to the
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concerned State Governments on specific requests and in the modernisation of the State Police Forces. The Central Government has circulated revised Guidelines to promote communal harmony to the States and Union Territories in 2008.
The National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH) is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Foundation has been collaborating with State Governments, district administrations, national commission(s), reputed academic institutions, civil/voluntary organizations and other likeminded organizations to conduct a variety of programmes including seminars, symposiums, cultural events, interfaith dialogue, literary competitions and similar other significant initiatives to achieve its mandate. It organizes Communal Harmony Campaign Week every year to disseminate the message of peace and social harmony in the country. The Foundation also conducts/sponsors research studies and brings-out publications on the theme having relevance with communal harmony and national integration.
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