Former Madras High Court Judges K. N. Basha and G. M. Akbar Ali have asked women, especially college students to fight for human rights, assert their rights and fight against the evils of corruption, injustice and dowry.
Addressing the national-level training programme on “Human rights of women,” sponsored by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at Thassim Beevi Abdul Kader College for Women at Kilakarai, near here on Friday, the former judges said women could no longer be submissive when their rights were violated.
Extensively quoting ‘Mahakavi’ Bharathi, Mr. Justice Basha said the poet’s songs not only kindled patriotism and nationalism but vehemently propagated the rights and privileges of women. The poet had advocated greater rights for women and their education, he said and advised the students to draw inspiration from his poems.
The preamble of the Indian constitution dealt with gender equality and there were various articles enshrined to protect the rights and dignity of women, he said adding women were highly respected during the Vedic period but faced traditional bias at later stages.
“You should assert your rights and fight against the menace of dowry,” the former Judge said and suggested that women should be bold enough to reject the proposals if the bridegroom side demanded dowry. The college students had a greater role of educating women on their rights and privileges, he said.
Addressing a technical session, Mr. Justice Ali said women faced more human right violations as they were considered weak. Stating that right to life was a basic human right, he said, this right was violated at a very early stage when female infanticide took place.
Rights were inherent to all human beings, irrespective of their nationality, caste, creed, colour and religion. However, human right violations take place when the ‘might’ tried to dominate, he said. Though all enjoyed right to live with dignity, modern slavery was widespread, he rued.
The technical sessions covered ‘Rights of women and Children’ and ‘Rights of other vulnerable groups’. A. K. Buhari, secretary, R. Abdur Rahman, Correspondent and S. Sumayaa, College Principal were present.
