NHRC seeks report from Rajasthan govt over humiliating graffiti

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday sought a report from Rajasthan government over putting "humiliating" graffiti on around 50,000 families publicising their poverty.
 
The graffitti in Hindi found on the walls of the houses of at least 50,000 Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in Dausa district read, "I am poor, I take ration through National Food Security Act, NFSA".
 
Taking suomotu cognizance of the issue, the NHRC has observed that the media reports about "this kind of humiliation, if true, amounts to violation of the Right to Dignity" of the beneficiaries of the scheme.
 
"No civilised society would ever appreciate such an imprudent and irrational act of the state authorities," the NHRC said and asked state Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report along with action taken against guilty officials within four weeks.
 
Quoting media reports, it said an an old woman told media that nobody likes to admit how poor they are but when this was the only way to get 15 kg of wheat, there was no question of not getting this painted on her wall.
 
Minister of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Rajendra Rathore also told media that no such order was issued by the present government and the matter will be looked into as it is wrong to have such graffitti.
 
"He has also, reportedly, stated that the practice of painting such labels outside the houses of the BPL families was started by the previous government through an order dated 6 August 2009. Allegedly, the government officials offer to pay the beneficiaries Rs. 750/- if they painted the message on their walls," the NHRC said.