The leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress, on Wednesday condemned the Narendra Modi government’s refusal to accept his suggestion to appoint a member of the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Class or minority community to the National Human Rights Commission.

Without naming retired Supreme Court judge Justice Arun Mishra who has been chosen the NHRC chairman, Kharge tweeted: “In my letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I had raised concerns regarding the manner in which the NHRC appointments were made.

“The BJP government refused to consider any SCs, STs, OBCs or minorities. Further, the appointments smack of partisanship & quid pro quo. I strongly condemn this.”

Kharge had said in a statement on May 31 after a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office where the NHRC chairperson was selected: “I reiterated at today’s meeting my concern over the rise in the cases of atrocities on Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and minorities and proposed that at least one person belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and minorities be recommended for the appointment either to the post of chairperson under Section 3(2)(a) or a member under section 3(2)(c) or a member under Section 3(2)(d) to the National Human Rights Commission from amongst the existing list of candidates.”

Kharge had added: “I also pointed out that appointment of the chairperson or a member of the NHRC cannot simply be ignored on the pretext that there is no specific provision to this effect in the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, and amendments made thereto. Obviously, there cannot be any bar to appoint either the chairperson or a member to the NHRC on this ground.”