'Selective Behaviour On Human Rights Harmful': PM Modi's Jibe At Oppn During NHRC Event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the foundation day of NHRC today where he emphasized the fact that viewing human rights through a political lens is harmful to the nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 28th NHRC Foundation Day programme via video conferencing on Tuesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and NHRC Chairperson Justice Arun Kumar Mishra were also present during the event.

PM Modi addressed the event and said that the government along with NHRC has made sure to protect the rights of women and children and have brought policies to ensure they lead their life with complete independence without any fear. PM Modi said, "In the last 7 years, about 60 crore poor population have been taken care of, they felt assured that there's somebody for them; 10 crore women have been provided with toilets, about 4 crore houses provided access to electricity."

PM further said that the nation is going ahead with 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas' motto which in a way also works on the basic principle of ensuring human rights for all. If Govt starts a scheme & it benefits only a few, it'll raise the issue of rights, so the centre is going ahead with the goal of ensuring that everyone gets the benefits of all schemes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that even after Independence, our constitution gave a new perspective on equality to the world. In the past decades, the world has been distracted so many times but India remained committed to its principles.

PM Modi further said, "...For decades, Muslim women were demanding laws against Triple Talaq. We provided new rights to them by forming a law against Triple Talaq. Our govt also freed Muslim women from the compulsion of 'Mahram' during Haj..."

PM also said that for the safety of the women, one-stop centres have been set up in over 700 districts, providing medical, police, mental counseling, and legal help to them. Over 650 fast track courts have been set up, and for heinous crimes like rapes provision of the death penalty has been introduced.

Taking a jibe at the opposition PM Modi said that some people only remember violation of human rights on some particular incidents and remain silent on events that do not benefit them. Such a selective approach is dangerous for the nation and people should keep a distance from those who follow such paths.

PM Modi further said that human rights should not be only about rights, but also duties. The two should be discussed together, not separately. Other than awareness of their rights, each individual must abide by their duties

What are the duties of NHRC?

The commission was set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, on October 12, 1993, for the promotion and protection of human rights.

The NHRC takes cognisance of human rights violations, conducts enquiries, and recommends compensation to victims from public authorities besides other remedial and legal measures against the erring public servants.

The commission also studies treaties and international instruments on human rights and makes recommendations for their effective implementation to the government. It is responsible for spreading human rights awareness amongst the masses and encouraging the efforts of all stakeholders in the field of human rights literacy not only at the national level but at the international level too.

The NHRC, India plays an active role in coordinating with other National Human Rights Institutes (NHRIs) of the world to increase awareness from the perspective of human rights. It has also hosted delegations from UN bodies and other human rights bodies as well as members of civil society, lawyers, and political and social activists from several nations.