Mysuru: Regretting the rise of pseudo-secularism under the guise of secularism, former Supreme Court Judge Justice V. Gopala Gowda expressed concern over attempts to subvert the Constitution. He was speaking at the Seminar on ‘Constitutional Aspirations and Challenges’ organised by Abhivyakti Swatantrakkagi Jana Sanghatane at a private hotel on Sri Harsha Road here yesterday.

Observing that snatching away the freedom of personal food habits through Legislation was not at all acceptable, Justice Gopala Gowda said that such Legislations only leads to unrest in the country.

Maintaining that pseudo-secularism had overshadowed true secularism, he bemoaned that there were less meaningful and healthy debates going on in the country.

Pointing out that Dr. Ambedkar’s Constitutional Aspirations such as empowerment of women was yet to be realised even after seven decades of Independence, the former SC Judge said that our politicians had miserably failed in honest implementation of the Constitution.

Bemoaning that no one seems to be serious about implementing Court Judgements on protecting fundamental rights and discharge of duties, he outlined the need for our Parliamentarians to raise their voice for the empowerment of the weaker sections of our society.

Noting that of late much politics is going on in the name of development, he expressed concern over corruption in the name of upliftment of weaker sections.

Stating that it was sad to note that our Parliamentarians were quarrelling over small and non-issues, such developments may disturb the social fabric of our country.

Legal luminary Dr. C.K.N. Raja, in his address, said that American Constitution has a 230-year history while the British Constitution is over 600 years old. But our Constitution came into being only 67 years ago and the time has come to introspect ourselves whether we are heading the wrong path in following the Constitution, he remarked.

Sanghatane Convenor S.B.Balaram, K. Basavaraj, Balaji Rao and others were present during the seminar.