Reply of the Chairperson of NHRC to the Members of the Parliament on Nandigram
New Delhi November 21, 2007 Justice Shri S. Rajendra Babu, Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission, replying to the memorandum from the Members of Parliament, Shri Sitaram Yechury and others to NHRC regarding his statement on Nandigram, which appeared in almost all the national dailies, stated that he was only responding to the questions by the media and the statements attributed to him were made only in the context of his anguish for those victims of violations of human rights and no more. It is incontrovertible that in recent times there have been violations of human rights on a mass scale in Nandigram. Any violation of human rights and that too on such a scale is a worse scar on the nation. The comparison between post Godhra and Nandigram incidents was only to that extent. Replying to the charge that the statements made by him was biased, he stressed that bias if any, was only towards the victims of human rights violations and not anything else.
The Chairperson of NHRC further stated that the statement attributed to him that they are victims of opportunist politics is incorrect and he did not make any such statement. In fact, the various statements attributed to him were neither accurate nor they reflect the true language or terminology.
The Chairperson of NHRC Justice Shri S. Rajendra Babu, in his reply to the Members of the Parliament has also stressed that when it comes to the notice of the Commission that there are violations of human rights, it is the duty of the National Human Rights Commission to act, if necessary in the public glare. In this context, the reports called for from the Chief Secretary of the West Bengal Government and the report awaited from the NHRC's team is to get all the necessary facts and details before the Commission makes-up its mind to take further action in the matter. Justice Rajendra Babu also assured that his mind will be open till the end of the matter whatever may be his first impression.
At the end, Justice Rajendra Babu urged the signatories to the memorandum to appreciate his statement in the media in the above background and put an end to the controversy.
*****
The Chairperson of NHRC further stated that the statement attributed to him that they are victims of opportunist politics is incorrect and he did not make any such statement. In fact, the various statements attributed to him were neither accurate nor they reflect the true language or terminology.
The Chairperson of NHRC Justice Shri S. Rajendra Babu, in his reply to the Members of the Parliament has also stressed that when it comes to the notice of the Commission that there are violations of human rights, it is the duty of the National Human Rights Commission to act, if necessary in the public glare. In this context, the reports called for from the Chief Secretary of the West Bengal Government and the report awaited from the NHRC's team is to get all the necessary facts and details before the Commission makes-up its mind to take further action in the matter. Justice Rajendra Babu also assured that his mind will be open till the end of the matter whatever may be his first impression.
At the end, Justice Rajendra Babu urged the signatories to the memorandum to appreciate his statement in the media in the above background and put an end to the controversy.
*****