On December 10, 2025, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, addressed a function organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India in New Delhi to celebrate Human Rights Day.
The President said, Human Rights Day reminds us that universal human rights are inalienable and a bedrock for an aspired just, fair and humane society. Seventy-seven years since the articulation of the truth that every human being is born free and equal, the President has brought to light the shining contribution of India in framing the global human rights framework rooted in the vision of its freedom fighters.
The underlying message emphasised the importance of guaranteeing human rights to everyone, especially those at the bottom of society, aligning with the philosophy of Antyodaya. She called upon every citizen to actively participate in the journey towards building a Viksit Bharat by 2047, emphasising that only then can development be truly inclusive.
The President said human rights were ingrained in the vision of the Indian Constitution and spoke to social democracy. These include the right to life without fear, learning without impediments, working without exploitation; and growing old with dignity. She reiterated an age-old truth: “There is no peace without justice, and there is no justice without peace.” She was also happy with the NHRC conference on safety for women in public places and workplaces, hailing women’s empowerment as part of human rights.
The President noted that the approach of the government has moved “from entitlement to empowerment and from charity to rights,” ensuring the availability of essential services like clean water, healthcare and education for all to ensure dignity. She also highlighted the four Labour Codes as a major reform for a future-ready workforce.
He concluded by calling on every citizen to realise that the protection of rights and dignity for fellow citizens is a shared duty, not the prerogative of governments or institutions alone.
