Sathasivam not independent, don't appoint him as India's human right watchdog: PUCL

Sathasivam

By A Representative
The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), India's powerful human rights organization, has asked President Pranab Mukherjee not to give his consent for the appointment of Justice P Sathasivam, presently governor of Kerala and former chief justice of India, as next chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the autonomous civil rights watchdog of India.
"If such an appointment is made, it will be contrary to the law, democratic ethic and the spirit of the Indian Constitution and the protection of human rights", it has said in a letter to Mukherjee, telling him, in this case, the final decision vests with him as President of India, and not with the Cabinet whose advice is otherwise mandatory for him.
Signed by PUCL president Prof Prabhakar Sinha and general secreary Dr V Suresh, the PUCL said, "The most essential and indispensable qualification of chairperson of NHRC is the enjoyment of complete and unshakeable trust of the people in his ability to stand for their rights against the almost almighty executive", something which Sathasivam lacks.
Suggesting that the governor's post is subservient to the executive, the PUCL said, "By accepting his appointment as governor after holding the post of chief justice, he has accepted a position in which he would be taking orders, including for his own resignation, from the Home Secretary of the Union Government."
"Justice P Sathasivam has accepted a position in which the incumbent is liable to be hired and fired by the executive", the PUCL said, adding, this goes against the principles guiding National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1993, tho which India is a signatory. the princples require national human rights institutions (NHRIs) oo be “autonomous” and function “independently” of the government.
Pointing out that a key function of the NHRIs includes to “drawing the attention of the government to situations in any part of the country where human rights are violated and making proposals to it for initiatives to put an end to such situations", the PUCL wondered how would ordinary citizens have confidence in the "impartiality, fairness, objectivity and independence of a person who owes his current position as governor of a state to the pleasure of the ruling Central government?"
The PUCL insisted, "Following his retirement, Justice Sathasivam's act of accepting the office of the governor, with its terms and conditions being dishonourable for a former Chief Justice of India, has destroyed the confidence of the people that such a person may ever stand up to his erstwhile master to protect their human rights."
Telling him that he could indepently, it told him, he has to make the NHRC appointment "not on the advice of the Council of Ministers, binding under Article 74 of the Constitution, but on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha and the leaders of the opposition in both the Houses of Parliament."

Comments

From plagiarism to proxy exams: Galgotias and systemic failure in education

By Sandeep Pandey* Shock is being expressed at Galgotias University being found presenting a Chinese-made robotic dog and a South Korean-made soccer-playing drone as its own creations at the recently held India AI Impact Summit 2026, a global event in New Delhi. Earlier, a UGC-listed journal had published a paper from the university titled “Corona Virus Killed by Sound Vibrations Produced by Thali or Ghanti: A Potential Hypothesis,” which became the subject of widespread ridicule. Following the robotic dog controversy coming to light, the university has withdrawn the paper. These incidents are symptoms of deeper problems afflicting the Indian education system in general. Galgotias merely bit off more than it could chew.

Farewell to Saleem Samad: A life devoted to fearless journalism

By Nava Thakuria* Heartbreaking news arrived from Dhaka as the vibrant city lost one of its most active and committed citizens with the passing of journalist, author and progressive Bangladeshi national Saleem Samad. A gentleman who always had issues to discuss with anyone, anywhere and at any time, he passed away on 22 February 2026 while undergoing cancer treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He was 74.

From ancient wisdom to modern nationhood: The Indian story

By Syed Osman Sher South of the Himalayas lies a triangular stretch of land, spreading about 2,000 miles in each direction—a world of rare magic. It has fired the imagination of wanderers, settlers, raiders, traders, conquerors, and colonizers. They entered this country bringing with them new ethnicities, cultures, customs, religions, and languages.

The 'glass cliff' at Galgotias: How a university’s AI crisis became a gendered blame game

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan* “She was not aware of the technical origins of the product and in her enthusiasm of being on camera, gave factually incorrect information.” These were the words used in the official press release by Galgotias University following the controversy at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi. The statement came across as defensive, petty, and deeply insensitive.

Conversion laws and national identity: A Jesuit response response to the Hindutva narrative

By Rajiv Shah A recent book, " Luminous Footprints: The Christian Impact on India ", authored by two Jesuit scholars, Dr. Lancy Lobo and Dr. Denzil Fernandes , seeks to counter the current dominant narrative on Indian Christians , which equates evangelisation with conversion, and education, health and the social services provided by Christians as meant to lure -- even force -- vulnerable sections into Christianity.

Sergei Vasilyevich Gerasimov, the artist who survived Stalin's cultural purges

By Harsh Thakor* Sergei Vasilyevich Gerasimov (September 14, 1885 – April 20, 1964) was a Soviet artist, professor, academician, and teacher. His work was posthumously awarded the Lenin Prize, the highest artistic honour of the USSR. His paintings traced the development of socialist realism in the visual arts while retaining qualities drawn from impressionism. Gerasimov reconciled a lyrical approach to nature with the demands of Soviet socialist ideology.

Development vs community: New coal politics and old conflicts in Madhya Pradesh

By Deepmala Patel* The Singrauli region of Madhya Pradesh, often described as “India’s energy capital,” has for decades been a hub of coal mining and thermal power generation. Today, the Dhirouli coal mine project in this district has triggered widespread protests among local communities. In recent years, the project has generated intense controversy, public opposition, and significant legal and social questions. This is not merely a dispute over one mine; it raises a larger question—who pays the price for energy development? Large corporate beneficiaries or the survival of local communities?

Development at what cost? The budget's blind spot for the environment

By Raj Kumar Sinha* The historical ills in the relationship between capital and the environment have now manifested in areas commonly referred to as the "environmental crisis." This includes global warming, the destruction of the ozone layer, the devastation of tropical forests, mass mortality of fish, species extinction, loss of biodiversity, poison seeping into the atmosphere and food, desertification, shrinking water supplies, lack of clean water, and radioactive pollution.

Public money, private profits: Crop insurance scheme as goldmine for corporates

By Vikas Meshram The farmer in India is not merely a food provider; he is the soul of the nation. For centuries, enduring natural calamities and bearing debt generation after generation while remaining loyal to the soil, this community now finds itself trapped in a different kind of crisis. In February 2016, the Modi government launched the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) with the stated objective of freeing farmers from the shackles of debt. It was an ambitious attempt to provide a strong safety net to cultivators repeatedly devastated by excessive rainfall, drought, and hailstorms.

Search This Blog