Know Your Rights: People still not aware of their rights after 70 years, introspection required

Since last few days, News Nation, News State, and UC News are providing important information about the basic rights that are provided to the citizens of the country.

However, it is regrettable that even after 70 years of independence, a large part of the population is not aware of their rights.

Unfortunately, it is also true that those who are aware of their rights hardly get any justice. Hence it is imperative that we talk about human rights.

How did human rights get into existence?

The UN General Assembly had recognized Human Rights declaration on 10th December 1948. It was also decided to observe December 10 as Human Rights Day every year. In India though, the safeguard of human rights was already into the picture even before it was discussed at the UN General Assembly.

Different Articles of the Constitution bestowed on states of the Republic of India to uphold human rights.

The courts were given the power under Articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution to protect the human rights.

The Constitution empowered the states to enact laws for safeguarding the Human Rights.

It was in 1993 that a law related to Human Rights came into being under which National Human Rights Commission was set up as a free and strong entity. Along with, Human Rights Commissions were set up at state levels.

There is no doubt that India has a much better Human Rights record compared to many countries in the world including its neighbours but the existing figures are disappointing.

If we take a look at figures from the year 2013 to 2016 then we will observe that more than 3 lakh 30 thousand cases of Human Rights violation were registered. Which means that on an average more than 300 cases were reported every day.

On the Human Rights Index Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Bihar fare the worst.

There have also been claims of solving 3 lakh 11 thousand cases.

Over the past three years, including the months beginning this year, the National Human Rights Commission recommended the financial help of Rs. 28 crore 80 lakh in 1347 cases, disciplinary action in 98 cases while the prosecution was recommended in 6 cases.

But this does not justify the number of cases registered against which financial relief, disciplinary action, and prosecution were carried out.

The figures are disappointing.

What kind of Human Rights?

More than three crore cases are pending in the country and millions of Indians await justice. The police which is considered protector are themselves facing a lot many allegations of Human Rights violations.

In the past 10 years, 5.5 crore people have spiralled down the poverty line only because of expensive treatments and medicines. Nearly 15 thousand people every day!

Things are so bad that every third poor citizen of the world is an Indian.  

A big section of the population is suffering from poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition and other basic needs.

Of course, in the past 70 years, things have improved on many fronts, but still, there is a long way to go.