Insensitive comment on Mahatma Gandhi: Govt attacks UN Special Rapporteur
New Delhi: The Modi government has deplored a statement made by the UN Special Rapporteur Leo Heller on Mahatma Gandhi, terming the same as "seriously insensitive" to the Father of the Nation.
Heller, the UN Special Rapporteur (UNSR) on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, was on a two-week visit to India. In a statement on Friday, Heller said: "Everywhere I went, I saw the logo of the Clean India Mission - Gandhi's glasses. In its third year of implementation, now is a critical time to replace the lens of those glasses with the human rights lens." The Indian government said it deplores the "serious insensitivity" shows towards Gandhi.
"The world knows that the Mahatma was the foremost proponent of human rights, including for sanitation, his unique and special focus. Gandhiji's glasses, the unique logo of the Swachh Bharat Mission, epitomise core human rights principles," the government said in a statement. Heller was on a visit to India from October 27 to November 10.
"While, the UNSR appears to complement India's efforts in recent years in addressing gaps in water and sanitation services through an unprecedented commitment, he goes on to make sweeping judgements which are either factually incorrect, based on incomplete information, or grossly misrepresent the drinking water and sanitation situation on the ground," government said in a strong rebuttal to Heller's statement.
Heller had called on India to incorporate a human rights perspective in its national programmes on water and sanitation. "Eliminating open defecation is not only about building latrines, but requires adequate methods for behaviour change, and sufficient water supply is a pre-requisite for the sustainable and safe use of adequate, low-cost latrines.
The Indian Government's emphasis on constructing toilets should not overshadow focus of drinking water provision for all and it should not involuntarily contribute to violating fundamental rights of others.