Message by Mr. Justice H.L. Dattu, Chairperson, NHRC

" Who will not desire to live in a society, which is free of strife and problems; but can any society ever claim to be fully immune to them? Perhaps not. So what are the options before us? We have none except reducing the causes behind problems and their chances of becoming complex. And this is not one time activity. Therefore, the only way forward is to spread awareness and work consistently towards creating an atmosphere, where people live in harmony and instead of being the reasons of creating problems become agents of resolving them.
I am confident that by imbibing respect for human rights as a way of life, we can actualize a fundamental change in our collective efforts to eradicate the scourge of poverty, ignorance, prejudices, and discrimination based on sex, caste, religion, disability and other forms, within our society. The Indian experience provides an interesting study of how despite multiple challenges, India's democratic polity has been strengthened over the years through exhaustive constitutional provisions and concerted efforts of successive governments, the judiciary, media and civil society, to ensure inclusivity and a respect for human rights.
Likewise, the NHRC, India has also consistently endeavoured to expand the sphere of its work and activities, in tune with the broad definition of human rights contained in the Protection of Human Rights Act. Even the Supreme Court of India has recognized the expansive mandate of the NHRC, India for the promotion and protection of social, economic, cultural and political rights of the people. The core fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution to the people of India together with the Directive Principles of State Policy, form the bedrock of our democracy, which we must all value and be guided in our lives for a just, happy and prosperous nation."