Telangana Political JAC president M. Kodandram observed that the rights movements have failed to come to grips with the issue of farmers’ suicides fully, despite the fact that they indicate severe problem with the existing structure and policies. In other countries, even a couple of suicides such as these would attract the society’s notice and result in action, he said, while speaking at a meeting on ‘People’s Movements—Human Rights’ organised by the Council for Green Revolution here on Tuesday. While Telangana movement with massive support from people, gave an opportunity for free expression and debates on various issues, the current challenge is to take those democratic values forward and institutionalise them, he said.
“Another movement should be planned to fulfil the democratic aspirations of people. Telangana movement has laid foundation for building our future, and I vow to perpetuate the values inherited from the Telangana movement through the future struggles,” Prof.Kodandram said.
Chairperson of the State Human Rights Commission K. Peda Peri Reddy said rights movements at all levels are inevitable in the present system, here even judicial orders are not implemented in a few cases and said human rights commissions could perform better if given more powers.
Listing construction of Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University and Necklace Road as violations of environmental regulations, Lokayukta Justice B. Subhashan Reddy advised those in the rights movements to be watchful for the exact manner in which violations happen. Chairperson of AP Legislative Council A. Chakrapani said movements are the lifeblood of any society, and people’s movements should observe values. Pointing out the occurrence of six custodial deaths after Telangana State formation, Jeevan Kumar from Human Rights Forum said governments have always treated rights activists as enemies despite the fact that they help improve governance. Drawing attention to Sompeta and Kakarapalli struggles against power plants, he said movements are born from people, and the rights organisations should support them.
