Modi cautions against ‘selective interpretation’ of human rights

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today cautioned against "selective interpretation" of human rights and looking at the issue through political prism to diminish the country's image.

He said India tried to eliminate injustice happening at different levels of society and his government has "given new rights to Muslim women by enacting a law against instant triple talaq".

"The tendency to see infringement in one situation and not in a similar situation has damaged human rights a great deal," Modi said while speaking at the 28th National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) foundation day programme through video conference.

He said, "The biggest infringement of human rights takes place when they are seen from the prism of politics and political profit and loss."

"This selective behaviour is equally damaging for democracy too," stressed Modi.

He said it is important to understand that "human rights is not associated with rights only but is a subject of our duties too".

"Rights and duties are two tracks on which the journey of human development and human dignity takes place," he stressed, adding duties are equally important as rights and they should not be discussed separately as they complement each other.

The Indian Prime Minister said the concept of human rights is closely related to the dignity of the poor, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

He said when the poorest of the poor do not get an equal share of the government schemes then the question of rights arises.