Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari on Sunday said corruption and the malicious influence of money power were serious “challenges” to the rule of law and a threat to national security.
“Corruption is an ailment that is pervasive, cancerous and multi-dimensional. In moral terms it corrodes the social and political fabric of society and increases injustice; in its legal implications, it results in disregard for the rule of law; in its developmental aspect, it tends to distort the decision-making processes, shakes the legitimacy of the State, erodes sovereignty of the State and its capacity to exercise sovereign functions including ensuring law and order for the citizens. It has emerged as a significant threat to national security,” Dr. Ansari said.
Addressing the valedictory function of the two-day International Conference of Jurists on International Terrorism, he said India remained committed to democratic governance, transparency, inclusive development and the implementation of the rule of law.
“Our practice, however, has been marred by lapses resulting in a failure to deliver it in sufficient measure. The supremacy of the rule of law has been challenged by corruption and the malicious influence of money power; both are made possible by departure from norms of good governance.”
International Council of Jurists (ICJ) president Adish C. Aggarwala said terrorism challenged the growth and prosperity of the world and hampered the unity and integrity of most of the countries.
Dr. Ansari was felicitated by Dr. Aggarwala with a scroll of honour.
ICJ Director S. Prabhakaran spoke on role of media in democracy. Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court, Gyan Sudha Mishra and judges from various High Courts participated.
While reaffirming the jurists’ commitment to the war against terrorism, the conference resolved, “we believe that all States should prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts. We demand that the States should also refrain from providing any support to persons involved in such acts.”
The Vice-President termed “elite behaviour” as the second major challenge to the supremacy of rule of law. “National and international media is full of reports of how the elite are able to subvert the rule of law with money or influence. A large swathe of society and polity even accept this situation as a way of life. While the normative elements of legal and political systems seek to establish the rule of law, the reality of systemic discrimination and exclusion based on community, gender, class and other limiting and distorting considerations is compelling,” he said.
Justice Awn S Al-Khasawneh, judge of the International Court of Justice lauded India’s commitment to the rule of law and international relations.
