At a meeting of a human-rights body, the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, Arun Mishra, said that if the substandard education of children in madrasas continues, then Muslims will “never come up”
He maintained that there is a need to standardise education for children.
“There is a need to standardise education for children. Vernacular languages are being forgotten. Also, if the sub-standard education for children in madrasas continues, Muslims will never come up,” he said while speaking of the NHRC and the other commissions.
The NHRC ex-officio members pointed out issues related to the reservation of people who had “intruded into India’s border.” They also spoke of the courts which rejected the commission recommendations.
Justice Mishra, who was chairing the Statutory Full Commission meeting of Chairpersons and representatives of seven national commissions, also stressed that a reservation policy to benefit the neediest among the reserved categories should be considered.
The National Commission for Backward Classes Chairperson, Hansaraj Gangadhar Ahir, pointed out that some states do not implement the national welfare schemes necessary to end societal inequality and discrimination. He also expressed that a dangerous trend was being noticed in the benefits of welfare schemes meant for the country’s citizens. This needs to be checked.
As per Subhash Ramnath Pardhi, a member of NCSC, “It is a matter of concern that many times the high courts reject the recommendations and directions of NCSC (National Commission on Scheduled Castes) merely on the technicalities and not on merits before rejecting its recommendations.
The chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), who was also present in the meeting, expressed her concern that the human trafficking of women from West Bengal to Srinagar has increased manifold. The forceful conversion in the name of marriage was a serious violation of rights that must be addressed.
The NHRC Chairperson maintained that India has an unparalleled institutional mechanism to address the issues related to Human rights violations. He added that, after participating in various international human rights forums, he realised that India could not be ignored for its democratic value and overall progress, which are “the best in the world.”
“No doubt, certain improvements may be required, but the freedom of speech and kind of debates which happen in India are not heard of anywhere,” he further said.
The Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Iqbal Singh Lalpura, highlighted the issues of non-payment of compensation to several victims of the 1984 riots even after so many years.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson said that running an orphanage had become a kind of racket to siphon off funds received through “massive donations.”
Praveen Prakash Ambastha, who is the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities, said that the accessibility to public places continues to remain a concern for people with disabilities. He said that over the years, there has been a change in perceptions regarding disabilities, but more must be done.
Dnyaneshwar Muley suggested that a museum of human rights should be built to showcase human rights in Indian Art and culture since the ancient era till date.
D.K. Singh, Secretary General of the NHRC, said that the commission has disposed of 1,09,982 cases during 2022-23 and recommended payment of Rs 13.69 crore as relief in 279 cases to victims or their next of kin.
