Justice Rajinder Sachar: A prominent champion of minorities and human rights | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Justice Rajinder Sachar: A prominent champion of minorities and human rights

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByHT Correspondent
Apr 20, 2018 11:38 PM IST

The Sachar Report provi-ded exhaustive evidence on Muslim socio-economic conditions: although rural Muslims were less poor than tho- se in urban areas, their poverty rate of 38% in the countryside was even higher than that of the Scheduled Castes.

Former Delhi high court chief justice Rajinder Sachar, a prominent civil liberty and minority rights advocate, died on Friday at the age of 94. “He was admitted in Fortis Hospital and passed away around 12pm,” a person speaking for the family said. 

Justice Rajinder Sachar is swearing by Lt Governor MMK Wali as Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court -(HT File Photo)
Justice Rajinder Sachar is swearing by Lt Governor MMK Wali as Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court -(HT File Photo)

The previous UPA government had appointed justice Sachar as chairperson of the landmark ‘Prime Minister's High Level Committee For Preparation of Report on Social, Economic and Educational Status of the Muslim Community of India’, informally known as the Sachar Committee.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The report presented by him in November 2006, called the Sachar Report, brought out the stark socio-economic disadvantages faced by Muslims and has become the touchstone of minority rights. It was to be the empirical basis for a series of public-policy actions to strengthen the participation of Muslims, India’s largest minority, in education and jobs. 

Sachar was the son of Bhim Sen Sachar, a former CM of Punjab. “But ideologically and politically, he was very close to the socialist movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan,” said KC Tyagi, member of the JD(U). In the 1950s, while a lawyer, he was president of the Delhi unit of the Socialist Party. 

The Sachar Report provi-ded exhaustive evidence on Muslim socio-economic conditions: although rural Muslims were less poor than tho- se in urban areas, their poverty rate of 38% in the countryside was even higher than that of the Scheduled Castes.

It showed that fewer than 5% of Muslims had government jobs and they made up only 4% of university stude- nts, proportions far less than their share of the population. 

Justice Sachar served as chief justice from August 6, 1985, to December 22, 1985. He began his career at the bar in Shimla in April 1952 and joined the Supreme Court in 1960. After being appointed as a permanent judge in July 1972, Sachar was appointed chief justice of the Delhi high court in August 1985. 

Justice Sachar campaign- ed for the reservation for women in Parliament and as a judge, he was committed to concerns over human rights.

In 1990, he authored the ‘Report on Kashmir situati- on’. He was also on a committee chaired by SC Chief Justice AM Ahmadi on changes needed to the Protection of Human Rights Act. The recommendations suggested changes in procedures for prompt action by the National Human Rights Commission in matters of human rights violation. 

“Justice Sachar was first judge to take stand against Rajiv govt on #1984SikhGenocide. To take away cases from his court, Rajiv govt got the roster of Delhi High Court changed. After retirement he became active member of our committee fighting for justice to victims. A great loss,” wrote senior advocate HS Phoolka on Twitter.  Acti- vist Aruna Roy said she was “grieved and shocked” at the passing away of a “strong, fearless and caring” person.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, CAA Live Updates along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On