The Karnataka State Minorities Commission (KSMC) is a statutory body constituted under the Karnataka State Minorities Commission Act 1994. The First Commission under this Act was constituted on 30.9.1994 with Mr.R.H. Goodwala as Chairman. Other eminent persons like Mr. F.H. Mohsin, Mr. C.M. Ibrahim, Mr. K. Rahman Khan, Mr. Sadath Ali Khan, Dr. Abdul Kareem, Prof. M. Basheer Hussain, Mr. Qamar-ul-Islam, Mr. Syed Saifulla, Mr. Azeez Sait, Mr. Mir Azeez, Alhaj K.S. Mohammed Masood and Mr. Syed Mudeer Aga subsequently served as Chairman.

The main activity of the KSMC is to examine the working of various safeguards provided in the constitution and in the Laws passed by the State Legislature for the protection of minorities and make recommendations with a view to ensuring effective implementation and enforcement of all the safeguards.

Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains are identified as Minority communities of Karnataka.

The Karnataka State Minorities Commission consists of the Chairman and six other members nominated by the Government from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity hailing from the minority communities.  Subject to the pleasure of the government, the term of the chairman and members is for a period of three years.  The Administrative head of the office is the Secretary, who is a group “A” Senior scale officer.

The Karnataka State Minorities Commission has come to be looked upon by the minorities in Karnataka as a Forum for ventilating their grievances.

Activities

• To monitor the working of the safeguards provided in the constitution, laws enacted by the State Legislature and policies and schemes of the Government for minorities.
• To conduct studies, research and analysis on the questions of avoidance of discriminations against minorities.
• To make a factual assessment of the representation on minorities in the services of the Government undertakings, Government and Quasi-Government bodies and in case representation is adequate to suggest ways and means to achieve the desired level.
• To make recommendations for ensuring, maintaining and promoting communal harmony in the State.
• To make periodical reports at periodical intervals to the Government.
• To study any other matter which, in the opinion of the commission is important from the point of view of the welfare and development of minorities and to make appropriate recommendations.
• To consider the grievances of the minorities and to suggest appropriate solution from time to time.
• To look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of minorities and take up such matter with the appropriate authorities.