Zafarul Islam Khan appointed chairperson of Delhi minorities commission

The Arvind Kejriwal government on Friday constituted the three-member Delhi Minorities Commission and appointed Zafarul Islam Khan as its chairperson.

Anastasia Gill and Kartar Singh Kochhar have been appointed as the other two members.

Zafarul Islam Khan is a scholar and editor of the Milli Gazette. Delhi government officials said the appointment has been cleared by lieutenant governor Anil Baijal. The panel will be in office for three years.

Zafarul Islam Khan is a PhD from Manchester University in Islamic Studies and has worked for several international organisations, an official said.

“Arvind Kejriwal approved and recommended the three names, which were proposed by the deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia,” the official added.

The previous panel commission had completed its tenure earlier this year.

Ex-Rajouri MLA Jarnail assumes charge of Punjabi Academy

Former Aam Aadmi Party legislator from Rajouri Garden, Jarnail Singh on Friday assumed the charge of vice-chairman of Punjabi Academy.

Jarnail Singh had unsuccessfully contested against Shiromani Akali Dal chief Parkash Singh Badal in the Punjab assembly elections after quitting his membership in the Delhi assembly.

While the party had denied party ticket to Jarnail in the by-elections to the Rajouri Garden assembly seat, the former legislator was appointed as Punjabi academy vice-chairman by the Delhi government earlier this month.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh assured that Punjabi Academy will make sincere efforts to uplift Punjabi language, literature and culture. He assured to solve the issues of Punjabi teachers and to secure more funds for the academy.