State Election Commissioner calls for debate on social justice

Mysuru: Maintaining that social justice for all has  remained a dream even after 75 years of independence, State Election Commissioner G.S. Sangreshi observed that everyone can get social justice only when Constitutional institutions are representative of all sections of the society.

He was speaking at the valedictory of National Conference on ‘Changing dimensions of social justice in contemporary era’  organised by Mysuru and Mandya Law Colleges in association with Karnataka State Law University (KSLU) at Mahajana Law College here recently.

Pointing out that if the Constitution has to become effective in full, then persons from all strata of society should be part of Constitutional institutions, Sangreshi, who had also served as the Principal District and Sessions Court Judge at Mysuru earlier,  said social justice could not be achieved if only a handful of powerful and influential persons were part of them.

“There is social injustice not only in our country, but in other developed countries too, where  caste, religion and racial discrimination is rampant. An egalitarian society can become a reality only if the Government ensures equality and equity for everyone. Law students can get a meaning for their profession only if they have social concerns. There are innumerable instances where Law graduates have gone to occupy top posts in the country. Students must understand that apart from being proficient in Law, they should also strive for social justice. Also, they should understand the problems of the poor,” he said and called upon  students to take the lead in rendering social justice to everyone.

Gadag-based Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (KSRDPR) In-charge Vice-Chancellor Prof. Suresh V. Nadagoudar said 85 percent of nation’s wealth is owned by 15 percent of Industrialists, while 85 percent of population has control over just 15 percent of nation’s wealth which speaks volumes about social inequality. In such a scenario, it is important that all  the deprived sections of the society get quality education, health and social security, he added.

He further said that ‘Village Courts’ (Grama Nyayalaya) must be established in every Gram Panchayat to ensure fair and speedy justice to rural population.

KSLU Vice-Chancellor Prof. C. Basavaraj expressed disappointment over the trend of owners asking about caste and credentials  of prospective tenants while letting out their houses on rent or lease. Stating that this growing tendency does not augur well for the society, he opined that society can be changed only if we change for the better.

Several faculties of Law Colleges were feted on the occasion.

Mahajana Education Society Secretary Vijayalakshmi Muralidhar, Vidya Vikas Educational Institutions Secretary Kaveesh Gowda, Sarada Vilas Educational Institutions’ R. Narasimha, Vidyavardhaka Educational Institutions’ Shivalingaiah and others were present.