The Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, underscored Bharat's exemplary human rights record while addressing a gathering on the 31st Foundation Day of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. He emphasized that India is far ahead of other nations in preserving the human rights of its citizens, especially minorities and marginalized communities. He pointed out that isolated incidents should not define India's overall human rights track record. Criticizing the use of human rights as a geopolitical tool by some international entities, Dhankhar emphasized that Bharat has always been a civilizational guardian of human rights. He expressed concern over the global indifference toward rights violations in other regions.

Dhankhar called on every Indian citizen to become a defender of human rights and ensure that they are not exploited for personal or financial gain. He urged the public to view national interests beyond political affiliations, warning against malicious forces both domestically and internationally trying to tarnish Bharat's human rights image unfairly. According to him, India's sacred texts, like the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita, serve as charters of human life and ethics, reaffirming Bharat’s deep-rooted human rights values.

He proudly highlighted India’s achievement in feeding over 850 million citizens through free rations since the COVID-19 pandemic. These efforts have been undertaken without discrimination on the basis of caste, class, or religion. He also discussed the success of India's direct benefit transfer system, which has eradicated corruption and allowed benefits to reach citizens swiftly and transparently. Dhankhar emphasized India's steady, inclusive economic growth over the past decade, which has improved the quality of life across all sections of society. From affordable housing to improved infrastructure, these developments are not dictated by external pressures but are designed to uphold the dignity and rights of citizens.

Earlier in the event, NHRC Acting Chairperson, Smt Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, highlighted the Commission's ongoing commitment to ensuring dignity, freedom, and well-being for all citizens. She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about human rights and empowering vulnerable groups, such as transgender individuals, to assert their rights and contribute to the nation’s progress. Sayani also addressed environmental rights, stressing the need for sustainable practices and accountability for pollution. She reaffirmed that India’s progress is deeply connected to its commitment to human rights, which is embedded in its ancient civilizational ethos and reflected in the Constitution.

She went on to discuss the NHRC’s work in addressing various human rights violations, from custodial violence to the exploitation of marginalized communities. The Commission has been actively advocating for police reforms, aiming to address systemic issues in law enforcement. In a significant investigation, the NHRC conducted a spot inquiry in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, where it uncovered a climate of fear and intimidation that prevented victims of violence, especially women, from seeking justice.

Sayani outlined the Commission’s ongoing efforts to investigate and address rights violations. Over the past year, the NHRC has handled 30 serious cases, conducted spot visits to facilities such as prisons and hospitals, and reviewed government programs to identify areas for improvement. Special Rapporteurs and Monitors of the NHRC focus on pressing issues such as police reforms, children's rights, and healthcare, furthering the Commission’s reach in promoting human rights across India.

The NHRC’s Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal, provided an overview of the Commission’s wide-ranging mandate, which includes processing more than 68,000 complaints in the past year alone, with almost 70,000 cases resolved and over ₹17 crore awarded to the aggrieved and their families. He also highlighted the NHRC’s role in fostering a culture of respect and dignity for all, and its commitment to protecting human rights in various spheres, from gender equality to the rights of children.

Lal also mentioned the NHRC’s national consultations, core group meetings, and open-house discussions as crucial platforms where the Commission engages with various stakeholders, including government officials, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), human rights defenders, and experts. He pointed out recent initiatives like a National Symposium on Women's Safety, aimed at addressing the challenges women face in workplaces and public spaces. The Commission has also issued advisories on the protection and rehabilitation of people involved in begging, the rights of widows, and the protection of children from child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

The NHRC is committed to collaborating with other national and state commissions, as well as human rights bodies at the international level. Lal highlighted the NHRC's founding membership in the Asia Pacific Forum of Human Rights Institutions and its active participation in fostering human rights across borders, including its engagements with the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions and the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions.

The event was attended by members of state human rights commissions, judiciary members, diplomats, NHRC officials, special rapporteurs, senior government officials, civil society representatives, and international dignitaries, further solidifying the NHRC’s role in promoting and safeguarding human rights in India and beyond.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)