Will Former President Kovind Launch NHRC’s 32nd Foundation Day on Oct 16?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Former President Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate NHRC’s 32nd Foundation Day on October 16.
- The focus will be on the human rights of prison inmates.
- A full-day National Conference will address various prison-related issues.
- Over 32 years, the NHRC has handled 23.79 lakh cases.
- The Commission emphasizes police accountability and prison reforms.
New Delhi, Oct 14 (NationPress) Former President Ram Nath Kovind will spearhead discussions centered on human rights, particularly focusing on prison inmates, during the inauguration of the NHRC’s 32nd Foundation Day celebration on October 16, as announced by an official on Tuesday.
Kovind is set to deliver the opening address at the event, which will also feature National Human Rights Commission Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian along with Members Justice (Dr) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, and Priyank Kanoongo.
The Commission will organize a full-day National Conference focusing on the ‘Human Rights of Prison Inmates’, where various challenges concerning human rights and the welfare of inmates will be discussed in multiple sessions, as stated by the official.
NHRC Secretary General Bharat Lal and other high-ranking officials will also participate in the Foundation Day festivities, taking this chance to reflect on the Commission’s journey and reaffirm its dedication to safeguarding and promoting human rights.
A diverse group of participants, including representatives from relevant Union ministries, state governments, diplomats, academics, researchers, legal experts, distinguished professionals, and civil society members, will engage in these discussions, according to the statement.
Over its 32-year journey since its establishment on October 12, 1993, the NHRC has been advocating for essential policy reforms, people-centered governance, and ongoing monitoring to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability within law enforcement, investigations, and welfare programs.
Throughout these three decades, the Commission has addressed 23.79 lakh cases, including 2,981 cases of suo motu cognizance. It has recommended over Rs 263 crore in monetary relief across 8,924 cases for victims of human rights violations.
The Commission has issued 31 Advisories on various topics, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), Rights of the Widows, Right to Food, Right to Health, and more, aimed at enhancing the welfare of marginalized groups.
The NHRC emphasizes police accountability, prison reforms, and the protection of the rights of both victims and the accused through research, policy advocacy, and public awareness campaigns.
Furthermore, it collaborates with central and state governments, parastatal entities, academic institutions, NGOs, and human rights advocates to protect and promote the rights of all societal segments, particularly the vulnerable.
Among the significant interventions made over the last three decades, the Commission has recommended changes to 97 laws that discriminate against individuals with Hansen's disease.
From October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, the Commission handled 73,849 complaints and registered 108 suo motu cases.
During this time, the Commission conducted 63 spot enquiries, disposed of 38,063 cases, and recommended over Rs 9 crore in monetary relief for victims of human rights abuses in 210 cases, as mentioned in the statement.
These cases include those resolved and relief awarded on-site during its two ‘Open Hearings and Camp Sittings’ held in Odisha and Telangana, respectively.
The Camp Sittings served as a vital platform to educate senior state government officials about the importance of timely report submissions to the Commission, ensuring quicker relief for victims. They also enabled interaction with local NGOs, human rights advocates, and media personnel, as detailed in the statement.