Congress expresses its disagreement over the appointment of the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council
New Delhi: The Congress has voiced its disapproval of the National Human Rights Council’s (NHRC) chairwoman choice, claiming that the committee’s selection procedure was seriously defective.
On December 18th, the Selection Committee convened to choose the Chairperson and Members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of the Rajya Sabha, attended the meeting.
In their dissenting note, the Congress listed several reasons why they disapproved of the committee.
“First of all, the Committee’s chosen selection procedure had serious flaws. It was a planned exercise that disregarded the long-standing custom of consensus-building and reciprocal consultation, which is crucial in these situations. Fairness and impartiality, which are essential to the Selection Committee’s legitimacy, are compromised by this divergence. The Committee used its numerical majority to decide on the names, ignoring the valid concerns and viewpoints expressed during the meeting, rather than encouraging discussion and guaranteeing a consensus, the Congress stated.
The importance of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as a legislative entity charged with protecting the basic human rights of all people, especially those from disadvantaged and persecuted groups, was also underlined.
“Considering merit and the need for inclusion, we put forth the names of Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice Kuttiyil Mathew Joseph for the chairperson post. A respected judge from the minority Parsi community, Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman is known for his depth of thought and staunch adherence to constitutional principles. His appointment would make a powerful statement about the NHRC’s commitment to reflecting India’s diverse community. In a similar vein, the party noted that Justice Kuttiyil Mathew Joseph, a former Supreme Court justice who is a member of the minority Christian community, is a perfect fit for this important role because of his consistent rulings that prioritize individual liberties and the defense of underrepresented groups.
“Furthermore, for the position of members, we recommended the names of Justice S. Muralidhar and Justice Akil Abdulhamid Qureshi, both of whom have exemplary track records in upholding human rights,” it said.
Additionally, the Congress said that the addition of their suggested individual will enhance the NHRC’s efficacy and dedication to diversity.
Thirdly, although merit is unquestionably the most essential factor, it’s equally critical to maintain a balance that takes into account the nation’s regional, caste, communal, and religious diversity. This equilibrium guarantees that the NHRC functions from an inclusive standpoint, cognizant of the actual experiences of every segment of the population. The committee runs the danger of undermining public confidence in this prestigious organization by disregarding this crucial principle,” it said.
It said that it is quite regretful that the majority of the Selection Committee dismissed these arguments during the discussion.
“The NHRC’s capacity to represent the inclusivity and diversity that characterize India’s constitutional spirit is essential to its legitimacy and efficacy. Our suggested titles capture this essence and are consistent with the Commission’s core values. The impartiality and fairness of the selection procedure are seriously called into question by their exclusion,” it said.
Justice V. Ramasubramanian (Retd.), a former Supreme Court justice, was named the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) chairperson by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday.
