ADDRESS BY THE HON’BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA SMT DROUPADI MURMU ON THE OCCASION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATION

I am happy to join you all for commemorating the Human Rights Day. It is an occasion to remind us that the universal human rights are inalienable and they form the bedrock of a just, equitable, and compassionate society.

Seventy-seven years ago, the world came together to articulate a simple yet revolutionary truth: that every human being is born free and equal in dignity and rights.

India played an important role in shaping a global framework of human-rights. Our freedom fighters envisioned a world rooted in human dignity, equality, and justice. Hansa Mehta, one of the fifteen women members of our Constituent Assembly was also a member of the group engaged in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She suggested a foundational change to the draft. She ensured that the rights enshrined in that global charter were expressed, not in terms of the ‘rights of man’, but in the inclusive and universal expression, ‘rights of all human beings.’ That such a historic shift was brought about by the expansive vision of an Indian woman is a matter of enduring pride for every Indian.

Thus, India embraced the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a co-creator of a universal moral covenant which resonated deeply with our civilizational ethos. Our ancient value of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which means that the world is one family, is reflected in the idea of universal human rights. It is only apt that India's sustained commitment to the human-rights principles has been recognized globally. It is evidenced by our unopposed election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for a three-year term commencing in 2026 for the seventh time.

Today, we also renew our ancient ideal of inclusion, captured in the words ‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah’, which means ‘may everyone be happy’. We renew this inclusive spirit of ‘well-being of all’ as a modern pledge:

that no one shall be left behind; that dignity is not negotiable; and,

that justice must remain the birthright of every person in India. Our commitment is clear: to build a nation where every individual can live with freedom, respect, and equality, and where human rights are not only protected, but celebrated.

Human rights are contained in the vision of our Constitution. Highlighting our Constitutional objectives, Babasahab Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar had said, “We must make our political democracy a social democracy as well.” Human rights promote social democracy.

Human rights encompass the right to live without fear, to learn without barriers, to work without exploitation and to age with dignity.

We have reminded the world that human rights cannot be divorced from development. Also, India has always adhered to the timeless truth: ‘There is no peace without justice and there is no justice without peace.’

Ladies and gentlemen,

Since the year 2019, with a view to enabling a holistic view of human- rights-issues, chairpersons of the National Commissions for Minorities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Women, Protection of Child Rights and Backward Classes along with the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities are deemed to be members of the NHRC for dealing with the core issues before the Commission.

It is heartening to note that NHRC India, the State Human Rights Commissions, along with judiciary and civil society have functioned as alert sentinels of our Constitutional conscience.

देवियो और सज्जनो,

यह बड़े संतोष की बात है कि पिछले कुछ वर्षों के दौरान राष्ट्रीय मानव अधिकार आयोग ने अनुसूचित जाति तथा अनुसूचित जनजाति समुदायों के लोगों, तथा महिलाओं और बच्चों से जुड़े अनेक विषयों का स्वयं संज्ञान लिया है। मुझे बताया गया है कि अब तक आयोग ने लगभग तीन हजार मामलों का स्वयं संज्ञान लिया है।

कारागारों में बंद undertrial लोगों से जुड़े विषय पर मैंने अपने विचार व्यक्त किए हैं। इस दिशा में कुछ प्रयास भी किए गए हैं। मुझे यह जानकर प्रसन्नता हुई है कि मानव अधिकार आयोग द्वारा इस वर्ष आयोजित स्थापना दिवस समारोह के अवसर पर Human Rights of Prison Inmates विषय पर व्यापक विचार-विमर्श किया गया। मैं आशा करती हूं कि उस विचार-विमर्श के उपयोगी परिणाम निकलेंगे।

महिलाओं का सशक्तिकरण और कल्याण, मानव अधिकार के प्रमुख आधार स्तम्भ हैं। ‘बेटी बचाओ, बेटी पढ़ाओ’ अभियान से बेटियों की शिक्षा को बढ़ावा मिला है, विशेषकर उन क्षेत्रों में जहां बेटियों की संख्या कम है। मुझे यह देखकर प्रसन्नता होती है कि सरकार की अनेक प्रभावी योजनाओं के माध्यम से महिलाओं की आर्थिक भागीदारी, सम्मान और आत्मनिर्भरता को बल मिला है। मुझे यह जानकर प्रसन्नता हुई है कि आयोग द्वारा सार्वजनिक स्थानों और कार्यस्थलों में महिलाओं की सुरक्षा के विषय पर सम्मेलन का आयोजन किया गया। ऐसे सम्मेलनों से निकले निष्कर्ष महिलाओं की सुरक्षा और सशक्तिकरण की दिशा में महत्वपूर्ण सिद्ध हो सकते हैं। इसके लिए मैं आयोग की पूरी टीम की सराहना करती हूं। शिक्षा, नागरिकों के सशक्तिकरण तथा उनके मानव अधिकारों की कुंजी है। एकलव्य मॉडल रेजिडेंशियल स्कूल और पीएम श्री स्कूल जैसे संस्थान गुणवत्तापूर्ण शिक्षा को सबकी पहुंच में लाते हैं। इन संस्थानों से वंचित वर्गों के विद्यार्थियों की शिक्षा को विशेष प्रोत्साहन मिला है।

Ladies and gentlemen,

I feel especially happy that today, the NHRC India is holding a conference on “Ensuring Everyday Essentials.” This aligns well with this year’s UN theme. It also reflects India’s focus on ensuring that essential services like health, education, housing, and other basic amenities are accessible to every citizen. Access to justice, especially for the poor, is given special thrust. I understand that stakeholders from diverse fields are participating in the conference to deliberate on critical issues concerning every-day essentials.

I am pleased with the launch of the NHRC’s new mobile app. I have been briefed that the app will make the complaint-filing-mechanism of NHRC more accessible to all. People will also be able to track the status of their complaints. It will also enable young students to reach NHRC for internships and other opportunities of learning.

The NHRC gives expressions to certain ideals of the State and the society. The Government of India has been translating such expressions into action, on a scale never seen before. Over the last decade, we have witnessed our Nation moving ahead with a different approach - from entitlement to empowerment and from charity to rights. The Government has been working to ensure that every-day essential services like clean water, electricity, cooking gas, healthcare, banking services, education, and improved sanitation become available to all. This uplifts every household and secures dignity. Over 40 million homes built for the poor have turned the right to shelter from dream into reality. The world’s largest food security program reaches approximately 800 million people. No Indian should sleep hungry is the mission of the program.

Recently, the Government has notified the implementation of a major reform through the four Labour Codes related to wages, industrial relations, social security and occupational safety, health and working conditions. This transformative change lays the foundation for a future-ready workforce and more resilient industries.

Together, these efforts reflect our national commitment that progress must be inclusive, reaching every corner of our country and every segment of our society.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, I call upon every citizen to recognize that human rights are not the sole responsibility of governments, the NHRC, civil society organizations and such other institutions. Protecting the rights and dignity of our fellow citizens is a shared duty. This duty rests with all of us as members of a compassionate and responsible society. Let us resolve to move ahead towards building ‘Viksit Bharat’ which will showcase an ideal blend of holistic development and social justice.

Thank you,
Jai Hind!
Jai Bharat!