Tue Dec 24 03:56:47 UTC 2024: ## Congress Leaders Protest NHRC Chairperson Appointment, Citing Flawed Process

**New Delhi, December 24, 2024** – Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have publicly denounced the appointment of Justice (retd) V. Ramasubramanian as the new chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), alleging a fundamentally flawed and pre-determined selection process.

In a strongly worded dissent note, Kharge and Gandhi, the leaders of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha respectively, argued that the December 18th selection committee meeting disregarded established traditions of mutual consultation and consensus. They criticized the committee’s reliance on numerical majority to finalize the appointment, ignoring their proposed candidates and concerns regarding inclusivity and representation.

The Congress leaders proposed Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice Kuttiyil Mathew Joseph for the chairperson position, highlighting their merit and representation of minority communities (Parsi and Christian respectively). They also suggested Justice S. Muralidhar and Justice Akil Abdulhamid Qureshi as members, emphasizing their commitment to human rights and representing diverse backgrounds.

Kharge and Gandhi argued that while merit is crucial, the NHRC’s composition should reflect India’s regional, caste, community, and religious diversity to ensure public trust and effective functioning. They asserted that the selection process undermined the NHRC’s credibility and its ability to represent the interests of all citizens, particularly marginalized groups.

The selection committee, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ultimately appointed Justice (retd) Ramasubramanian, a former Supreme Court judge. The NHRC also announced the appointments of Priyank Kanoongo and Dr. Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi as members. The post had been vacant since June 1st. The Congress leaders’ dissent highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and inclusivity in key government appointments.

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