December 24, 2024: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have voiced strong dissent over the selection process for the new chairperson and members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). In a joint statement, the leaders argued that the appointment process was "flawed" and reflected a "pre-determined" outcome that lacked mutual consultation and consensus.

The Congress leaders, who attended the meeting of a high-powered committee tasked with selecting the NHRC head, proposed the names of former Supreme Court judges Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman and Justice Kuttiyil Mathew Joseph as suitable candidates for the position of NHRC chairperson. Despite their recommendations, Justice V. Ramasubramanian, a former Supreme Court judge, was appointed to lead the human rights body.

In their dissent note, Gandhi and Kharge criticized the government's approach to the selection, claiming that the process did not take into account an important balance of region, religion, and caste. The leaders further argued that the appointment demonstrated a "dismissive approach" by the government, highlighting concerns that the process undermined inclusivity and transparency.

In addition to the NHRC chairperson's appointment, the Congress leaders recommended two names for the NHRC membership: Justice S. Muralidhar and Justice Akil Abdulhamid Qureshi. Both were praised for their "exemplary track records in upholding human rights," with the leaders emphasizing that their inclusion would enhance the NHRC's diversity and strengthen its commitment to human rights.

The position of NHRC chairperson had been vacant since June 1, following the retirement of Justice Arun Kumar Mishra. Since then, Vijaya Bharathi Sayani had served as the acting chairperson. A meeting on December 18, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, finalized the appointments of Justice Ramasubramanian as chairperson, along with Priyank Kanoongo and Dr. Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi as members.

The NHRC, through its official social media handle, confirmed the appointments on Monday, stating, "The President of India appoints Justice V Ramasubramanian (retd) as the chairperson, and Priyank Kanoongo and Dr Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi (retd.) as the members of the NHRC, India." Kanoongo, prior to this role, served as the chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

This development marks another chapter in ongoing political debates surrounding key appointments in India's human rights framework, with Congress accusing the ruling government of sidelining inclusive consultation in favor of a top-down selection process.