The Minorities Commission, established in 1978 under a Government resolution, was brought under parliamentary legislation fourteen years later as the National Commission for Minorities. It is supposed to be an important consitituent of the human rights enforcement mechanism of India. The author of this book took over as the sixth Chairman of the Commission in 1996 and held the position throught three successive governments until November 1999.

This book offers a first-hand account of the origin, development, working, powers, functions, shortcomings and handicaps of the Commission, assesses its reports and contribution over twenty three years, and critically evaluates its role in the affairs of the nation.