Karnataka High Court Judge K. Bhakthavatsala, who is also the administrative judge for Dakshina Kannada, expressed his displeasure over the attacks on women in the district. “Bless the women folk, do not ill-treat them,” he said.
Mr. Bhakthavatsala emphasised this several times during his speech at the function to lay the foundation stone for the new Mangalore Advocates’ Association building on Saturday.
Dwelling on how the proposed new building will help advocates to serve people in a better way, Mr. Bhakthavatsala said, “We are all born because of women. We should respect women … but what are we doing? If we really start respecting women people will not venture to do anything against women, may be a child or college-going girl,” he said.
Comparing women with Goddess Mookambika, Mr. Bhakthavatsala said: “Women are equal to that deity, please understand. Please respect and do service to them.”
Mr. Bhakthavatsala also said that his views were based on his experience of dealing with many matrimonial cases.
The proposed new building, he said, will go a long way in expediting serving of court notices to advocates as they will be available at one place. “It’s taking almost five years to serve notices in High Court,” he said.
Minister for Public Works C.M. Udasi said the State Government had allocated Rs. 53 crore for improving basic facilities across the courts in Dakshina Kannada.
Former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, High Court Judge K.L. Manjunath, Deputy Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly N. Yogish Bhat, and President of Mangalore Bar Association S.P. Chengappa also spoke.
