CHENNAI: Human rights organisations, activists and politicians demanded that the Centre cancel the appointment of former Supreme Court judge Justice Arun Kumar Mishra as the chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). They termed the appointment as a “brazen and deliberate blow” to the Constitution by the Union government.
“The decision made by the Narendra Modi-led government smacks of brazen arrogance and indifference to public opinion and once against highlights the cynical disdain of the government for democratic norms and constitutional proprieties,” according to a joint statement signed by 68 human rights activists, lawyers, writers and journalists across the country. The activists who issued the statement include retired IAS officer M G Devasahayam, People s Union for Civil Liberties general secretary Dr V Suresh and Henri Tiphagne of People’s Watch.
As many as 71 individuals, including members of rights organisations and academics, alleged Mishra was appointed as he was ‘close to the ruling dispensation’.
‘Move that smacks of brazen arrogance’
A group of human rights activists on Wednesday raised concerns over the appointment of former Supreme Court judge, Justice Arun Kumar Mishra, as the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The Centre’s decision “smacks of brazen arrogance and indifference to public opinion and once again highlights the cynical disdain of the government for democratic norms and constitutional proprieties”.
The activists pointed out that the selection of Justice Mishra by a committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was despite the objection of another committee member, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. The Congress leader had suggested appointing someone from Dalit, Adivasi or minority communities, “considering that the bulk of victims of state abuse comes from these communities”.
The police claim that Mohammad Aqeel Qureshi was not pushed off his terrace, but jumped on his own and fell to his death after the officers who had come to question him had already left.
The position of a full-time chairperson of the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission has been vacant since July 2018. The acting chairperson too retired on April 27, rendering the commission dysfunctional.