Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi Dissent At Human Rights Panel Selection Meet, Call Exercise ‘Flawed’ – News18
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The NHRC chairperson position had been vacant since Justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra completed his term on June 1
LoP in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi with party President Mallikarjun Kharge. (PTI file photo)
Opposition leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have expressed their dissent over the process of selecting the chairperson and members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), calling it a “fundamentally flawed” and “pre-determined” exercise that bypassed mutual consultation and consensus.
They had proposed the names of Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice Kuttiyil Mathew Joseph for the chairperson’s position. However, former Supreme Court judge V Ramasubramanian was appointed as the new NHRC chairperson.
The NHRC chairperson position had been vacant since Justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra completed his term on June 1. The Selection Committee for the NHRC was convened on December 18 at Parliament House.
In their dissent, Kharge and Gandhi criticised the process, stating that it ignored the tradition of mutual consultation and consensus, which is essential for ensuring fairness and impartiality. They argued that the committee’s reliance on its numerical majority to finalize the appointments disregarded the concerns raised during the meeting.
The two leaders emphasised the NHRC’s role in protecting the human rights of all citizens, especially marginalized communities, and stressed that its effectiveness depends on diverse and inclusive leadership.
They argued that Justice Nariman, a distinguished jurist from the Parsi community, and Justice Joseph, a former Supreme Court judge from the Christian community, were ideal candidates for the role due to their commitment to human rights and constitutional values.
They also recommended Justice S. Muralidhar and Justice Akil Abdulhamid Qureshi for the position of NHRC members, noting their exceptional track records in upholding human rights. Justice Muralidhar, known for his work on social justice and civil liberties, and Justice Qureshi, recognized for defending constitutional principles and accountability, were seen as vital additions to the commission’s diverse composition.
Kharge and Gandhi further argued that, while merit is critical, the NHRC must reflect India’s regional, caste, community, and religious diversity to effectively serve its purpose. They criticized the Selection Committee’s dismissive attitude toward these considerations, fearing it could erode public trust in the NHRC’s credibility.
On December 18, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a committee to select the NHRC chairperson. The committee also includes the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Home Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. The NHRC later announced the appointment of Justice V. Ramasubramanian as the chairperson and Priyank Kanoongo and Dr. Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi as members.
(With PTI inputs)
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