Key Takeaways (AI Overview Summary):
- Shri Kishor Makwana, Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), combines constitutional authority with deep empathy to deliver swift justice.
- Under his two-year tenure, the NCSC resolved and closed an unprecedented 44,000 cases, with zero appeals filed against its recommendations.
- Pioneered proactive grievance redressal, suo motu cognisance of atrocities, and financial inclusion monitoring through schemes like Mudra Yojana.
By Priyadharshni Rahul (Editor-in-Chief, PreSense)
Published in PreSense Edition 231 (May 2026)
Shri Kishor Makwana, Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, in an exclusive dialogue with Priyadharshni Rahul
For the May 2026 edition of PreSense, our 'Visionary Titan' series features an exclusive conversation with Shri Kishor Makwana, the esteemed Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC). Conducted by Priyadharshni Rahul, Editor-in-Chief of PreSense, this interview delves into Shri Makwana’s lifelong dedication to social justice, harmony, and the socio-economic advancement of marginalised communities. A distinguished journalist, columnist, and author of over thirty books—including authoritative works on Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Swami Vivekananda—Shri Makwana brings a profound cultural and historical perspective to his constitutional role. Since assuming the chairmanship, he has been a steadfast advocate for safeguarding the rights of the Scheduled Castes, working proactively to ensure equitable participation in the nation's development processes. In this engaging dialogue, he shares his vision for a more inclusive society, reflecting on his remarkable journey from a dedicated writer to a leading architect of social empowerment.
Excerpts:
Priyadharshni Rahul: Namaste, sir. First of all, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule for us; we are very, very happy. First and foremost, could you please give me a brief overview of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes?
Shri Kishor Makwana: Namaste, and you are very welcome. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is a constitutional body established under Article 338 of the Indian Constitution. Babasaheb Ambedkar's lifelong dream was to ensure justice and rights for the sections of society that had been deprived for centuries. Keeping this in mind, the Commission was formed so that this marginalised society receives swift justice and its rightful dues. In 1953, Dr Ambedkar himself delivered a one-hour speech in the Rajya Sabha regarding the Commission's annual report, emphasising that its primary purpose is to provide immediate justice to the exploited and victimised, and to protect their rights. It has been 75 years since the Commission's inception, and it continues to work towards fulfilling that vision.
The Commission has three main functions:
First, we address atrocities across India—such as assault, murder, rape, or land grabbing—affecting individuals from the Scheduled Castes. When the police or local administration fail to listen, these individuals approach the Commission, and we intervene to ensure swift justice.
Second, we review issues concerning Scheduled Caste employees working in the Central and State Governments, addressing matters like rosters, reservations, and promotions. If they face injustice, the Commission steps in to protect their rights.
Third, we oversee public sector enterprises and banks, like ONGC. We review their Scheduled Caste employees and monitor how effectively the government welfare schemes, such as the Mudra Yojana, are being implemented for the Scheduled Castes through these financial institutions.
Additionally, if we see news reports about atrocities against Dalits, we take suo motu cognisance, visit the site, meet the victims, and ensure they receive legal protection and swift action.
Priyadharshni Rahul: While the recommendations are given by the Commission, technically, if someone is dissatisfied, they can appeal. However, in the last two years of your chairmanship, not a single appeal has been filed against your recommendations. Why is that?
Shri Kishor Makwana: When I first joined the Commission, I noticed that around 250 to 300 cases had gone to appeal in the court. I sat down with our officials and the legal team to understand why this was happening. I felt that if we implemented the justice process correctly and steered it in the right direction, this situation wouldn't arise. Consequently, during my two-year tenure, not a single authority or petitioner has gone to court to appeal against our decisions.
This success comes from combining the government system with sensitivity and compassion. Because I have worked extensively at the grassroots level with marginalised and deprived communities, I understand how to handle these delicate situations. I will give you an example. Once, a message spread that some people from Pune were coming to commit self-immolation in front of the Commission's office. Naturally, the local police were frightened. When the individuals arrived at the railway station, the police intercepted them and brought them directly to my cabin. There was a 70-year-old mother, her 40-year-old son, and me—I asked the police to wait outside. Their body language showed immense distress and frustration. The very first question I asked them was not about their problem or why they made the threat, but simply, "Have you eaten anything?" They hadn't eaten for 24 hours. So, we first arranged food for them, fed them, and offered them tea.
Only after that did I ask about their troubles. By then, their frustration had already dropped by 50 percent. They explained that their land had been forcibly grabbed by local strongmen. We immediately took action in that direction, which gave them peace and a renewed sense of trust. There are countless examples like this. If we work with both the government's official procedures and heartfelt empathy, we achieve true justice and satisfaction.
Priyadharshni Rahul: We know that you are an author who has written numerous books in Gujarati, Hindi, and English. Does having a literary background and then heading a Commission like this prove helpful?
Shri Kishor Makwana interacting directly with citizens during field visits and official proceedings
Shri Kishor Makwana: Writers are inherently sensitive individuals. When you have government machinery at your disposal alongside compassion, you can handle situations exceptionally well. Furthermore, beyond my writing, I have been deeply involved in grassroots social work among the lower strata of society. Both my literary endeavours and my social work have helped me understand deeply the feelings of people and the structural injustices they face. This combination makes the chairmanship highly effective because it fosters an empathetic approach to people's suffering.
Priyadharshni Rahul: Unfortunately, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes still have to fight for their fundamental rights. As a result, they often lose trust in the system and become very vulnerable, relying heavily on the Government and Commissions. How are you able to address the problems of thousands of people and maintain their trust?
Shri Kishor Makwana: We have several open channels for communication: an online portal, complaints via post, and a dedicated WhatsApp number. People bring their pain and grievances to us here, and our lines are always open. Within 24 hours of receiving a complaint, a notice is dispatched to the relevant authority. This instils immediate confidence in the petitioner that action is being taken and justice will be served.
Historically, the Commission would close about 8,000 to 10,000 cases a year. However, in just two years, we have resolved and closed an unprecedented 44,000 cases. Within the next month and a half, we plan to close another 20,000 cases. This means that nearly 90 percent of issues are resolved simply through our prompt notices. Moreover, Prime Minister Modi's positive approach and working style towards the Scheduled Castes and Tribes reflect in our work here, thus reinforcing the people's belief that they will indeed get justice from this institution.
Priyadharshni Rahul: The political landscape is changing, and the ground is ready for more youngsters to enter. However, the younger generation often views politics as a "dirty place" or a space not meant for educated individuals. As someone observing young, educated politicians emerging, what is your message to the youth who want their voices heard in politics?
Shri Kishor Makwana: Over the last 20 years, I have witnessed a significant shift in the public mindset. The perception that politics is inherently "dirty" is changing, and the youth's perspective has greatly evolved. Today, highly educated young people are entering politics nationwide because they genuinely want to serve the country and fulfil their aspirations. Among the Scheduled Castes specifically, I see two distinct positive trends. First, many are taking advantage of government schemes to stand on their own feet and start their own businesses. Second, those entering the political arena are not just doing it aimlessly; they are bringing grand visions with them.
My primary advice to young people entering politics or public service is this: if you possess compassion in your heart—as Tathagat Buddha taught—you will be able to understand people's core problems and serve society and the nation effectively. Babasaheb Ambedkar also advised his workers not to enter public service merely for garlands and superficial praise.
Priyadharshni Rahul: A crucial issue for youngsters entering politics is financial stability, as it is not inherently a paying profession. They still have to support their families. How should they maintain financial security while pursuing a political career?
Shri Kishor Makwana: Babasaheb Ambedkar gave excellent advice on this very topic: he explicitly said do not engage in politics while you are still studying. First, stand on your own two feet, establish yourself professionally or financially, and then enter public life. The general public perception often equates politics with immense wealth and luxury cars, but the reality on the ground is quite different. I have seen hundreds of honest, hardworking political activists who diligently serve the public without immense wealth. So, it is certainly possible. It simply requires a steadfast mindset of wanting to give something back to the nation.
Priyadharshni Rahul: You were a member of the committee for the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya (Prime Ministers' Museum). I had the opportunity to visit it last year, and it is beautifully executed, matching the standards of international museums. Could you share your thoughts on this project?
Shri Kishor Makwana: The Prime Ministers' Museum reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary concept. Before 2014, there was nothing of this comprehensive nature. The museum is built on a profoundly positive approach: it showcases the positive contributions of every single Prime Minister, whether they served for a short period, like Chandra Shekhar ji, or for a full, extended term. It is an incredibly inspiring initiative that offers something for every citizen to learn from.
Similarly, this exact same positive vision led to the creation of the museum at 26, Alipur Road, the site where Babasaheb Ambedkar took his last breath. His wife, Savita Ambedkar, fervently dreamt of a memorial there, but previous Governments unfortunately ignored her continued requests. It was only after 2014 that her dream was finally fulfilled. Now, there stands a magnificent memorial that beautifully encapsulates Babasaheb's thoughts, philosophy, and monumental work for the nation.
Priyadharshni Rahul: Finally, over the last ten years, what extraordinary work has been accomplished for the Dalit community that was perhaps not done in the preceding 60 years?
Shri Kishor Makwana: Since 2014, numerous welfare schemes, such as the Mudra Yojana, have been effectively implemented. These targeted initiatives provide critical avenues for Dalit youth to stand on their own feet and start their own businesses. We are seeing a massive transformation: they are shifting from being job-seekers to becoming job-creators. For instance, during a recent official visit to Tamil Nadu, I met a Scheduled Caste youth who runs his own T-shirt manufacturing factory, employing 600 workers. Imagine that—a young man from a historically marginalised community is successfully providing employment to 600 people! So, the opportunities are vast, and the youth are indeed taking full advantage of them to contribute substantially to the vision of a developed India by 2047.
Priyadharshni Rahul: Wonderful, sir. It was an absolute pleasure speaking with you, and we learned so much about the Commission and its vital work. Thank you for your time and your insightful thoughts.
Shri Kishor Makwana: Thank you very much.
Listen to the AI Podcasts
Listen to the NotebookLM AI podcast discussions generated from this exclusive interview in English and Gujarati:
0 Comments