Centenary celebration to commemorate the work of Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer will begin in Puducherry this year.
Several human rights groups in Puducherry have come together to form Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer Centenary Committee in memory of the man who was known to have humanised law.
K. Sugumaran, Secretary, Federation for People’s Rights, said: “This committee will organise awareness campaign on human rights, essay competitions in schools and colleges, documentary filmmaking and give Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer award to human rights activists.”
People’s Watch executive director Henry Tiphagne said, “Justice Krishna Iyer believed that violation of human rights should be fought at different fronts… His remarkable work and judgments upholding human rights should reach the present judiciary.”
He added that many organisations fighting against human rights violations are being targeted by the government.
“This trend, started by the UPA-II regime, still continues. The reason for this is because the organisations and unions of the political parties are unable to face the consequences of growth-oriented policies. This void is filled by the non-governmental organisations, professionals, academicians and experts. When they are filling the void by raising their voice for human rights, it is presented as if they are opposing the government,” Mr. Tiphagne said.
These organisations are threatened with attacks. “The governments are unable to tolerate any discussion or report against their policies. They are trying to stifle thousands of non-governmental organisations and it will continue. However, people will continue to fight for their rights,” he said.
The human rights groups include Holistic Approach for People’s Empowerment (HOPE) and Scheduled Tribe People’s Federation.
