Leaders of the Opposition in Parliament Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi expressed their displeasure at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) selection panel meeting, recording that the process of selecting the commission’s chairperson was “fundamentally flawed”. Congress leaders said the selection process adopted by the NHRC was a “premeditated” exercise that ignored mutual consultation and consensus.
While both Kharge and Gandhi proposed the names of Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice Kuttil Mathew Joseph, former Supreme Court judge V Ramasubramanian was appointed as the chairman on Monday.
The meeting of the selection committee to decide the name of the new chairman of the National Human Rights Commission was held on January 18 and the post was vacant after Judge (retired) Arun Kumar Mishra completed his tenure on June 1.
A dissenting note submitted by Kharge and Gandhi said, “This was a premeditated practice which disregarded the established tradition of mutual consultation and consensus, which is essential in such matters. This departure undermines the principles of fairness and impartiality, which are vital to the credibility of the Selection Committee.” “
Instead of promoting discussion and ensuring a collective decision, the committee relied on its numerical majority to finalize the names, ignoring legitimate concerns and views raised in the meeting, Congress lawmakers said.
Pointing out that the NHRC is a statutory body that protects the fundamental human rights of all citizens, the two noted in their remarks, “The ability to fulfill this mandate depends crucially on the inclusiveness and representativeness of its composition. A diverse leadership ensures that the NHRC meets the unique challenges faced by diverse communities.” , remains particularly sensitive to those most vulnerable to human rights violations.”
Referring to the list of names of Kharge and Gandhi for consideration, the dissenting note said that while merit is an important factor for the selection panel to maintain a balance reflecting the regional, caste, community and religious diversity of the nation. Equally important.
“This balance ensures that the NHRC operates from an inclusive perspective, sensitive to the lived experiences of all sections of society. By ignoring this important principle, the committee risks undermining public confidence in this venerable institution,” the dissent note said.
According to the rules of the National Human Rights Commission, the committee to select the head of the National Human Rights Commission is chaired by the Prime Minister and consists of Lok Sabha Speaker, Home Minister, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Deputy Speaker. As a member of the Rajya Sabha.
With input from PTI
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