NHRC Flags Governance Deficit in Tracing Missing Children: A Call for Administrative Empathy

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently taken suo motu cognisance of the alarming rise in missing persons, particularly children, across several Indian states. Highlighting a significant 'governance deficit,' the Commission has sought detailed data and action-taken reports from five states. The NHRC’s intervention underscores a critical failure in the administrative machinery to protect the most vulnerable sections of society, pointing to a lack of empathy and accountability within the state apparatus. From a governance perspective, the low rate of tracing missing children is not merely a statistical failure but a violation of the fundamental right to life and security. The Commission observed that the inability of the police and state administrations to locate missing children often stems from a lack of 'administrative empathy.' In the context of civil services, empathy and compassion toward the weaker sections are not just moral virtues but foundational values required for effective service delivery. When the state fails to act with urgency in cases involving children, it reflects a breakdown in the dedication to public service and a neglect of constitutional mandates.