Contemporary Challenges and Strategic Directions for India’s Human Rights Movement

India’s human rights movement stands at a critical juncture. What began as civil liberties activism during the Emergency of 1975-77 has evolved into a multifaceted struggle encompassing traditional freedoms, environmental justice, and socio-economic rights. Yet as the movement has expanded in scope, it faces unprecedented challenges from government restrictions, regulatory crackdowns, and the need to address increasingly complex violations affecting diverse communities.

The expanding landscape of human rights concerns 🔗

The contemporary human rights movement in India addresses issues far beyond the traditional civil liberties framework. Environmental rights have emerged as a significant concern, particularly as marginalized communities bear the brunt of ecological degradation. According to the Environmental Justice Atlas, India has the largest number of environmental justice movements globally, with approximately 300 reported cases of ecological conflicts. More than 57 percent of these movements involve Adivasi communities mobilizing against displacement and resource exploitation.

Meanwhile, religious and ethnic minorities face increasing discrimination and violence. Human Rights Watch reported that between June and August 2024, there was a surge in violence by Hindu vigilantes assaulting Muslim men on suspicions of consuming beef or transporting cattle. The organization documented how several state governments demolished Muslim homes and businesses without due process, often as apparent collective punishment following communal clashes.

Dalits continue experiencing systemic violence and caste-based discrimination, with Dalit women and girls facing heightened risks of sexual violence. The movement also contends with attacks on tribal communities, particularly in states like Chhattisgarh where counterinsurgency operations against Maoist rebels have led to allegations of extrajudicial killings and abuses against villagers.

Institutional challenges facing the movement 🔗

The human rights movement confronts severe institutional obstacles. Government authorities have weaponized foreign funding regulations, particularly the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, to restrict civil society operations. Amnesty International noted that authorities canceled the FCRA licenses of at least seven NGOs in 2024, preventing these organizations from accessing essential funds.

The National Human Rights Commission faces credibility concerns. For the second consecutive year in 2024, the UN-linked Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions deferred accreditation to India’s NHRC, raising questions about its independence and effectiveness.

U.S. Department of State reports indicated that between 2019 and 2024, India received 83 communications from various UN experts but responded to only 20. The country accepted just one visit request since 2019, with 19 pending requests including from the UN Special Rapporteur on torture dating back to 1999.

Freedom of expression under threat 🔗

Journalists and activists face systematic harassment. In 2024, Human Rights Watch reported that at least 34 journalists were attacked, five arrested, and at least 175 social media accounts and web links were blocked. The government censored peaceful expression online through arbitrary orders, including blocking websites that document hate speech and attacks on religious minorities.

India imposed the largest number of internet shutdowns globally, with these shutdowns disproportionately affecting marginalized communities by denying access to subsidized food rations and livelihoods. Kashmir remained particularly affected, with journalists facing police interrogation, raids, threats, and fabricated criminal cases.

Strategic responses and advocacy approaches 🔗

Despite these challenges, the movement has developed various strategic approaches. Public Interest Litigation has emerged as a powerful tool. The judiciary’s interpretation of fundamental rights, particularly expanding the right to life under Article 21 to include rights to education, health, clean environment, and safe drinking water, has provided legal ammunition for activists.

Collaboration between civil society and the judiciary created new opportunities. The Supreme Court’s recognition that the right to life includes freedom from adverse effects of climate change represents a significant achievement for environmental activists, though critics note that some judicial decisions have had unintended negative socio-economic impacts on marginalized communities.

Building coalitions across movements 🔗

The movement has increasingly recognized the interconnectedness of various rights struggles. Activists working on environmental rights, women’s rights, Dalit rights, tribal rights, and labor rights have begun finding common ground. This cross-movement solidarity was evident in protests against nuclear testing and in opposition to communal violence, where diverse groups coordinated responses.

Organizations like the Human Rights Law Network provide free legal services while participating in systemic advocacy campaigns. These groups conduct training programs for lawyers and activists to strengthen capacity across the movement.

Funding diversification and local mobilization 🔗

With foreign funding under severe restriction, human rights organizations are exploring local fundraising strategies. Organizations in Mumbai and other economic centers are attempting to raise funds from local businesses and citizens to increase political legitimacy and build resilience against government crackdowns on foreign aid.

However, this transition faces obstacles. Many organizations fear that seeking local funds might expose them to additional scrutiny or compromise their independence if they become dependent on corporate donors with their own agendas.

International engagement and transnational advocacy 🔗

The movement has leveraged international mechanisms despite government resistance. In July 2024, the UN Human Rights Committee raised concerns about discrimination and violence against minority communities following its review of India’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

International pressure has produced some results. The European Parliament adopted a resolution in January 2024 raising urgent concerns about violence, nationalistic rhetoric, and divisive policies against minorities. However, several countries have strengthened strategic and economic ties with India despite its deteriorating human rights record, limiting the effectiveness of international advocacy.

Emerging issues requiring new strategies 🔗

The movement must adapt to address evolving challenges. Digital rights have become increasingly important as the government expands surveillance and internet censorship. The implementation of three new criminal laws in July 2024, which expand police powers, raises fresh concerns about rights to freedom of expression, association, and fair trial.

Socio-economic disparities require greater attention. Research indicates that environmental policies often ignore health impacts on marginalized populations and fail to evaluate disparities among diverse social groups. Activists argue for a decolonial intersectional environmental justice approach that addresses how caste, class, gender, and religion intersect in determining vulnerability to environmental harm.

The need for broader mobilization 🔗

Critics within the movement acknowledge limitations. Some argue that human rights organizations have become professionalized institutions staffed by management graduates rather than social activists, leading to a corporate approach that lacks grassroots legitimacy. The movement has been criticized for focusing disproportionately on violations by state forces while inadequately addressing abuses by non-state actors.

Broader public mobilization remains essential. The movement must balance specialized legal advocacy with mass education and organizing to build popular support. The challenge lies in making abstract human rights concepts relevant to ordinary citizens facing daily struggles for survival and dignity.

Looking ahead 🔗

India’s human rights movement operates in an increasingly restrictive environment. The National Human Rights Commission registered 121 deaths in police custody, 1,558 deaths in judicial custody, and 93 alleged extrajudicial killings in just the first nine months of 2024, indicating the scale of violations requiring response.

Success requires multiple parallel strategies. Legal advocacy through courts must continue while organizations develop sustainable funding models independent of both foreign donors and potentially compromising local sources. Building coalitions across different rights movements can amplify impact while protecting individual organizations from isolation and targeting.

The movement must also engage with technology thoughtfully, using digital tools for documentation and mobilization while protecting activists from surveillance and online harassment. International solidarity remains important, but domestic legitimacy is crucial for long-term sustainability.

Perhaps most importantly, the movement must stay connected to affected communities rather than becoming an elite-driven enterprise. The voices of Dalits facing violence, Muslims experiencing discrimination, Adivasis confronting displacement, women seeking justice for sexual violence, and workers demanding fair treatment must shape both the agenda and strategies of the human rights movement.

What do you think? How can India’s human rights movement balance the need for professionalization and legal expertise with grassroots mobilization and community leadership? As foreign funding becomes increasingly restricted, what alternative models might ensure the movement’s financial independence without compromising its integrity?

References

1. https://casi.sas.upenn.edu/iit/brototiroy
2. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/india
3. https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/asia-and-the-pacific/south-asia/india/report-india/
4. https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/india
5. https://india.un.org/en/275172-un-human-rights-committee-issues-findings-india