By Jay Prakash Pandey “Pahadi”
Every year on December 10, the world observes Human Rights Day. Stages are set, candles are lit, and speeches are delivered, painting an illusion of progress in human rights. Leaders and influencers speak eloquently about dignity, equality, and justice, making it seem as if humanity has overcome its darkest struggles. However, the ground reality often tells a different story—this day is more about those who lack rights than those who enjoy them. At times, it feels less like a celebration and more like a reminder of the world’s failure to secure basic dignity for its people.
The Global State of Rights
Human rights violations today are not random incidents; they have become systemic and widespread. In Bangladesh, for instance, the Hindu minority faces relentless persecution. Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024, attacks on Hindu temples and community leaders have intensified. According to the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, more than 400 temples have been attacked in the last three years. The destruction of idols, harassment of devotees, and arrest of religious leaders have left the community in fear. One devotee commented, “Even God’s feet are not safe here.”
Other countries face similar challenges. In China, Vietnam, and Cambodia, freedom of speech and environmental activism are treated as crimes. Journalists and activists who dare to dissent often disappear or face imprisonment. Environmental protection, once a global priority, is now labeled as “anti-national” in these countries. Meanwhile, in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, women’s rights have been reduced to mere shadows. Education and employment opportunities have been stripped away, confining women to their homes under the guise of cultural preservation.
These are not just failures of governments; they are failures of humanity. Rights that should be universal remain a privilege for the few.
India’s Unseen Struggles
In India, marginalised groups continue to fight for their most basic rights. Manual scavengers, despite legal prohibitions, still risk their lives daily by entering toxic sewers to clean them. The law might claim to protect them, but reality paints a grim picture. Many workers die from asphyxiation, their deaths reduced to mere numbers in government reports. Roshan, a scavenger, says, “The law exists, but only the sewer feeds us.”
Landless labourers, who form a significant part of India’s agricultural workforce, live in perpetual poverty. Over 10 crore laborers struggle to afford even basic education for their children, with 70% unable to send them to school, according to NSSO data. Government schemes like MGNREGA, designed to uplift these workers, often fail due to delayed payments and bureaucratic hurdles.
Persons with disabilities face another set of challenges. Though the 2016 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act promises accessibility, implementation remains weak. Ramps are often unusable, lifts non-functional, and public spaces remain largely inaccessible. The rights of these individuals are celebrated in speeches but ignored in practice.
Sex workers, too, face an ambiguous legal environment. Their work is neither fully legalised nor outright banned, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. During the pandemic, they were among the hardest hit, with no access to food, shelter, or healthcare. Their rights remain a distant dream, as they continue to live on the margins of society.
Farmers, LGBTQIA+ Community, and the Forgotten Heroes
India’s farmers, the backbone of its economy, continue to bear the brunt of neglect. In 2021, over 3,000 farmers in Maharashtra alone died by suicide due to mounting debts and crop failures. Despite their critical role in feeding the nation, their issues are often met with superficial promises.
The LGBTQIA+ community, despite the landmark decriminalisation of Section 377 in 2018, faces societal discrimination. Many young people are rejected by their families and ostracised by society. According to a Forbes India report, 60% of LGBTQIA+ youth face rejection at home, leaving them vulnerable to mental health issues and homelessness.
Police officers and soldiers, tasked with protecting the nation, are themselves overburdened and neglected. Police work long hours under immense stress, leading to over 100 suicides annually, as per NCRB data. Soldiers guarding the borders face similar mental health challenges, with little institutional support to address their issues.
Doctors, often hailed as life savers, face growing violence in their workplaces. According to the Indian Medical Association, 75% of doctors have experienced some form of violence at work. Patients’ families, driven by frustration or grief, often attack doctors when outcomes are unfavourable. This creates a hostile work environment, forcing doctors to fear for their own safety while trying to save others.
The True Meaning of Human Rights
Human Rights Day is meant to remind us of the importance of dignity, equality, and justice. But these principles are far from reality for millions around the world. Rights are not just words in legal documents; they are the foundation of a humane and just society.
For this day to have real meaning, we must move beyond speeches and candles. Change requires accountability, policy reform, and most importantly, empathy. The true essence of Human Rights Day will emerge only when these rights are guaranteed for everyone, not just discussed in forums. Until then, it will remain a hollow ritual, reflecting the world’s collective failure to protect its most vulnerable.
(Jay Prakash Pandey “Pahadi” is an Independent Writer, and Senior Rajbhasha Officer, ONGC HQs)
