Caravan News
NEW DELHI – Speaking at Human Rights Commission’s foundation day, home minister Amit Shah on Saturday asked to change the norms of human rights which should not be in sync with the western concept of rights.
Shah, who was the chief guest at the event, said that western standards of human rights cannot be blindly applied to Indian issues and India’s human rights policy must focus on the rights of civilians killed by militants or Maoists as much as it does on police atrocities and custodial deaths.
“There is no bigger violation of human rights than those affected by militants in Kashmir or Naxals. We must look at these issues with an Indian outlook,” Shah was quoted by The Indian Express as speaking at the 26th foundation day of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
“Women not having access to toilets and safe methods of cooking is a human rights issue. Modi government has ensured upliftement of millions of individuals from these situations,” he said, enumerating the government’s efforts at increasing the standard of living.
The Union minister also claimed that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is moving towards a scenario where there will be no human rights violations.
“India has an inbuilt framework of human rights. Our family values have special protection of women and children, and villages look after the poor believing it to be part of their dharma,” he said.
NHRC chairperson and former Chief Justice of India H L Dattu said that the government has supported the commission in fulfilling its mandate. “The Home Minister’s presence is a source of encouragement to NHRC,” he said.
Dattu added that the NHRC has fulfilled its mandate by tackling pressing issues related to bonded labour and custodial deaths.
According to the commission, in 2018-19, the backlog of legal cases has significantly reduced, and only cases which were filed after 2017 are currently pending. It said that the NHRC has heard and decided 691 cases and granted compensation worth Rs 25.38 crore.
Dattu credited senior IPS officer Prabhat Singh, Director General (Investigation) of the NHRC who was appointed in January, with bringing down the pendency of cases.
