Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday highlighted the existence of "pernicious forces" that are systematically attempting to unfairly damage India's image by raising concerns about the country's human rights record on international platforms. Speaking at the 31st anniversary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), he warned that these forces have a "sinister design" aimed at questioning India's human rights practices globally.

Dhankhar emphasized the need to remain vigilant against such attempts to tarnish the nation’s reputation, underscoring the importance of addressing human rights challenges. He recalled his experience as the Governor of West Bengal, particularly referencing the post-election violence in the state, which he described as a troubling yet isolated incident.

Reflecting on his time in West Bengal, Dhankhar referred to the state as being governed by the “law of the ruler, rather than the rule of law." However, he cautioned against using these isolated events to paint a distorted picture of India’s overall human rights record, stressing that the country has made considerable progress in upholding these rights, and the rule of law remains strong.

In a broader discussion, Dhankhar underscored the importance of equality and dignity for all, in line with the theme of the 2024 World Human Rights Day: “Equality, Reducing Inequality, Advancing Human Rights.” He reaffirmed the fundamental principle that all people are “born free and equal in dignity,” and any form of discrimination based on race, religion, or gender undermines the essence of human rights.

He also emphasized that the protection of human rights is not only the responsibility of the government but a collective duty of society. "Respecting the rights of others is respecting your own," Dhankhar said, highlighting the essential role of human rights in India’s democracy and constitutional framework.