Leaders of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi had recorded their dissent over the selection of the Chairperson and Members of the National Human Rights Commission on the grounds that the process adopted was “fundamentally flawed” and a “predetermined” exercise that ignored mutual consultation and consensus. They had proposed the names of Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice KM Joseph for the position of chairperson. The Opposition leader’s dissent note was released to the media a day after former Supreme Court judge V Ramasubramanian was appointed as the new Chairperson of the NHRC.
The Opposition leaders also suggested retired High Court judges Muralidhar and Akil Abdulhamid Qureshi as NHRC Members. The meeting of the Selection Committee for picking the Chairperson and Members of the NHRC was held on December 18 at the Parliament House. The Selection Committee is headed by the Prime Minister and the panel comprises Lok Sabha Speaker, Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha, Home Minister and Leaders of Opposition from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The post of NHRC chairperson had been lying vacant since Justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra completed his tenure on June 1.
In their dissent note, Kharge and Gandhi recorded their disagreement on the grounds that the selection process adopted by the committee was fundamentally flawed. “It was a predetermined exercise that ignored the established tradition of mutual consultation and consensus, which is essential in such matters. This departure undermines the principles of fairness and impartiality, which are critical to the credibility of the Selection Committee,” their dissent note said.
Instead of fostering deliberation and ensuring a collective decision, the committee relied on its numerical majority to finalise the names, disregarding the legitimate concerns and perspectives raised during the meeting, Kharge and Gandhi said. They said the NHRC is a vital statutory body tasked with safeguarding the fundamental human rights of all citizens, particularly those from the oppressed and marginalised sections of society.
“Its ability to fulfil this mandate depends significantly on the inclusiveness and representativeness of its composition. A diverse leadership ensures that the NHRC remains sensitive to the unique challenges faced by various communities, especially those most vulnerable to human rights violations,” their dissent note read. “We proposed the names of Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice Kuttiyil Mathew Joseph for the position of Chairperson, keeping in mind both merit and the need for inclusivity.
“Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, a distinguished jurist from the minority Parsi community, is renowned for his intellectual depth and unwavering commitment to constitutional values. His inclusion would send a strong message about the NHRC’s dedication to representing India’s pluralistic society,” they said.
Similarly, Justice Joseph, a former Supreme Court judge, belonging to the minority Christian community, has consistently delivered judgments that emphasise individual freedoms and the protection of marginalised groups, making him an ideal candidate for this critical position, Kharge and Gandhi said.
“Furthermore, for the position of Members, we recommended the names of Justice S. Muralidhar and Justice Akil Abdulhamid Qureshi, both of whom have exemplary track records in upholding human rights,” they said. Justice Muralidhar is widely respected for his landmark judgments advancing social justice, including his work on custodial violence and the protection of civil liberties, and Justice Qureshi, belonging to the Muslim minority community, has consistently defended constitutional principles and demonstrated a strong commitment to accountability in governance, the two leaders said.
“Their inclusion would contribute to the NHRC’s effectiveness and its commitment to diversity,” it said. While merit is undeniably the primary criterion, maintaining a balance that reflects the regional, caste, community, and religious diversity of the nation is equally important, it said. “This balance ensures that the NHRC operates with an inclusive perspective, sensitive to the lived experiences of all sections of society. By neglecting this critical principle, the committee risks eroding public trust in this esteemed institution,” the dissent note added.
“Lastly, the dismissive approach adopted by the majority of the Selection Committee in today’s meeting towards these considerations is deeply regrettable. The NHRC’s credibility and effectiveness depend on its ability to embody the diversity and inclusiveness that define India’s constitutional ethos,” the dissent note given on December 18 said. “The names we proposed reflect this spirit and align with the foundational principles of the commission. Their exclusion raises significant concerns about the impartiality and fairness of the selection process,” Kharge and Gandhi said.
A former Chief Justice of India or a retired judge of the top court is appointed as NHRC chairperson by the president on the recommendation of the selection committee. Former CJIs H L Dattu and K G Balakrishnan are among those who have headed the rights body in the past.
The NHRC, in a post on X, said, “Hon’ble President of India appoints Shri Justice V. Ramasubramanian (Retd.) as the Chairperson, and Shri Priyank Kanoongo and Dr. Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi (Retd.) as the Members of the National Human Rights Commission(NHRC), India.” Kanoongo earlier served as a chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
