Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: A day after former Supreme Court judge Justice V Ramasubramanian was appointed as the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) by President Droupadi Murmu, the Congress has issued a dissent note, criticizing the selection process as “fundamentally flawed.”
Congress Alleges Pre-Determined Process
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and Mallikarjun Kharge, his counterpart in the Rajya Sabha, stated that the selection process lacked fairness and consensus.
In a dissent note, the Congress leaders highlighted that the Selection Committee meeting, held on Wednesday, “ignored established traditions of mutual consultation and relied solely on numerical majority.” They emphasized that this approach undermines the fairness and impartiality essential to the NHRC’s credibility.
Proposals for Inclusivity Ignored
The Congress had proposed names of former Supreme Court judges Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice KM Joseph for the Chairperson’s post, citing both merit and inclusivity.
• Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman: A jurist from the Parsi community, recognized for his constitutional expertise and dedication to pluralism.
• Justice KM Joseph: Known for upholding individual freedoms and marginalized rights, he represents the Christian minority community.
For the NHRC members, Congress suggested:
• Justice S Muralidhar: Esteemed for judgments advancing social justice, including work on custodial violence.
• Justice Akil Abdulhamid Qureshi: Representing the Muslim minority, recognized for defending constitutional principles and governance accountability.
Call for Diversity and Representation
The Congress leaders emphasized that the NHRC, as a body protecting the fundamental rights of citizens, especially marginalized groups, must reflect regional, caste, community, and religious diversity. They argued that neglecting this principle risks eroding public trust in the institution.
Dismissive Approach Regrettable
The Congress criticized the “dismissive approach” of the Selection Committee majority, calling it deeply regrettable. “The NHRC’s credibility depends on embodying diversity and inclusiveness, principles essential to India’s constitutional ethos,” the dissent note said.
Current Appointments
While Justice V Ramasubramanian has been appointed NHRC Chairperson, the newly announced members include:
• Priyank Kanoongo, former Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
• Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, former Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court.
The Congress contended that the exclusion of their proposed names raises concerns about impartiality and fairness in the selection process.
