Congress Slams NHRC Selection Process As 'Fundamentally Flawed': What You Need To Know

The Congress party has strongly criticized the process of selecting the new chairperson and members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), calling it "fundamentally flawed." The criticism comes a day after President Droupadi Murmu appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice V. Ramasubramanian as NHRC chairperson. Priyank Kanoongo and Dr. Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi were also named members of the commission, as reported by NDTV.

The main opposition party, led by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, issued a formal dissent noting the irregularities in the selection procedure. The Congress leaders expressed concerns that the meeting of the Selection Committee, which took place on Wednesday, appeared to be a "pre-determined exercise," which disregarded the essential principle of mutual consultation and consensus.

Congress Leaders Raise Concerns About Fairness and Impartiality

In their dissent note, Gandhi and Kharge emphasized that the selection process lacked transparency and fairness. They argued that the Committee relied solely on its numerical majority to finalize the appointments, rather than fostering deliberation and ensuring collective decision-making. They voiced disappointment over the dismissal of legitimate concerns raised during the meeting, undermining the credibility of the NHRC and its ability to act impartially.

The Congress party highlighted that the NHRC is a crucial institution responsible for safeguarding the human rights of all citizens, particularly marginalized communities. The leaders stressed that the diversity and inclusivity of the commission's leadership are vital for ensuring it remains sensitive to the challenges faced by vulnerable groups. In contrast to the current appointments, the Congress had proposed the names of former Supreme Court judges Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice K.M. Joseph, emphasizing both merit and inclusivity in their recommendations, as reported by NDTV.

Calls for Diversity and Inclusivity in NHRC Leadership

The Congress leaders underscored the need for the NHRC's leadership to represent India's pluralistic society, particularly by including individuals from various minority communities. They suggested that Justice Nariman, a respected jurist from the Parsi community, and Justice Joseph, a former Supreme Court judge from the Christian community, would have been ideal candidates for the chairperson role. These appointments, according to the Congress, would have sent a strong message about the NHRC's commitment to protecting the rights of diverse communities in India.

The opposition leaders also proposed the inclusion of Justice S. Muralidhar, a former Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, and Justice Akil Abdulhamid Qureshi, a former Chief Justice of Rajasthan and Tripura High Courts, for the position of NHRC members. They praised both justices for their track record of advancing social justice and constitutional principles.

The Need for a Balanced Representation

While acknowledging that merit should be the primary criterion for appointments, the Congress leaders stressed that it is equally important to reflect the regional, caste, community, and religious diversity of the nation. They argued that without this balance, the NHRC risks losing public trust and failing to effectively protect human rights across all sections of society, as reported by NDTV.

The Congress party's dissent note concluded with a sharp critique of the majority's "dismissive approach" in the Selection Committee and raised concerns about the impartiality and fairness of the process. The opposition leaders emphasized that the NHRC's ability to function effectively depends on embodying the values of diversity and inclusiveness, which are central to India's constitutional framework.

As the new appointments are expected to take effect, the Congress party has called for greater scrutiny of the selection process and reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the NHRC remains a strong and impartial body dedicated to defending the human rights of all citizens, as per media reports.