In a recent move, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), urging the commission to investigate widespread human rights violations in Andhra Pradesh. The TDP’s plea, led by Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar, raises concerns over the recent arrest of the party’s national president, N Chandrababu Naidu.
The core of the TDP’s plea lies in the demand for the NHRC to make recommendations and issue appropriate directives to state officials, aiming to mitigate and address alleged human rights violations, The letter enumerates the below mentioned allegations , and appeals for the necessity of initiating criminal or disciplinary proceedings against erring officers, holding them accountable for their actions.
TDP Rajya Sabha member Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar explaining to the chairman NHRC about the deterioration of human rights in AP under JaganmohanReddy’s fascist rule pic.twitter.com/FO1mGCwbBw
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First-Hand Investigation:
The TDP’s appeal emphasized the urgent need for the NHRC to conduct a comprehensive, first-hand investigation into the alleged atrocities in Andhra Pradesh. The letter, addressed to NHRC Chairperson Justice Arun Kumar Mishra, stressed on independent officers visiting the state to gain direct insights into the situation, so as to ascertain on-site view of the alleged human rights violations occurring in the region.
Recommendations and Directions:
Following the field investigation, the TDP has urged the NHRC to issue suitable recommendations or directives to state officials, outlining necessary measures to mitigate and address the identified human rights violations effectively. Additionally, the appeal calls for the initiation of criminal or disciplinary proceedings against officers found guilty of misconduct.
Prohibition of Unlawful Practices:
Ravindra Kumar’s letter also called upon the NHRC to issue specific directions to the Andhra Pradesh government, prohibiting activities such as voter profiling and the collection of sensitive private data through the village volunteering system. The TDP contends that these practices violate democratic rights and infringe upon citizens’ privacy.
Challenges to Dissent and Fundamental Rights:
The complaint presented to the NHRC states the alleged misuse of Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, an issue raised concerning the suppression of democratic protests. The TDP’s appeal mentions instances where dissent had reportedly been curtailed, leading to violations of fundamental rights enshrined under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution of India.
State-Sponsored Violations:
Ravindra Kumar’s complaint detailed the widespread and ongoing human rights violations in Andhra Pradesh, which, according to the TDP, are sponsored, aided, and abetted by the state government. The alleged active involvement of state police and other official machinery in these violations has raised serious concerns, necessitating the NHRC’s intervention.
