Mysuru: Emphasising that the practise of casteism, corruption, increase of crime and terror activities are  threatening peace, stability and existence of democracy in the country, former Judge of the Supreme Court Justice Shivaraj V. Patil called upon the youths to protect the law of the land by adhering to the principles and core values of the Indian Constitution.

He was speaking at the day-long ‘Sri K. Puttaswamy Memorial Endowment Lecture on Indian Constitution–Dynamics’ organised by Vidyavardhaka Law College at its premises on Sheshadri Iyer Road in city on Saturday.

He said that the Constitution of India guaranteed equal rights and opportunities for all citizens irrespective of caste, sex, religion and region besides given special protection for all including the weaker sections in the society.

The Indian Constitution which was framed on the core values of sovereign, social, democratic, secular and republic principles clearly upheld the dignity of all people, he said.

Successive governments at the Centre and States too have been making all efforts for eradicate poverty, hunger, unemployment, illiteracy and to ensure education, health protection of the people in the federal set up adhering to the principles of the Constitution, he added.

He further said that it is the duty of law students to follow the rules enshrined in the Indian constitution and added that the law students must be the representatives of the people of the country  to protect their constitutional rights and facilities whenever they are threatened.

 Justice Shivaraj Patil said that the Supreme Court always protected the rights of the people through various amendments and by framing laws besides protecting the core values and basic structure of the Constitution whenever it was threatened.

The Supreme Court has saved the Indian democracy in the judgment of  Kesavananda Bharati vs Kerala State, he said and added that exactly 40 years ago, on Apr. 24, 1973, Chief Justice Sikri and 12 Judges of the Supreme Court delivered this most important judgment in its history.

Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji graced the occasion. President of Vidyavardhaka Sangha  Gundappa Gowda, Secretary P. Vishwanath and others were present.