Human rights confined to speeches, says S R Nayak

The reference to human rights can found as early as in Vedas and Upanishads. But, unfortunately, these rights are not being implemented and has only confined to speeches, said Karnataka Law Commission Chairman and Karnataka State Human Rights Commission former chairman Justice S R Nayak.

He was speaking after inaugurating a workshop on human rights ‘Dhwani-Pratidhwani’ organised by Human Rights Federation of India and University College, at Ravindra Kala Bhavan in Mangaluru on Friday.

The vedic verses such as ‘Sarve Janah Sukhino Bhavanthu,’ and ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ reflect upon equality, universal brotherhood and human rights. These values were also proposed by Basavanna through his vachanas in 12th century. Many other spiritual leaders such as Budda and Mahaveera also spoke on the same, he said and added that Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UNO highlights the significance of the human rights.

The discrimination of people on the grounds of religion, caste and creed are still persistant. Children should be made aware of this in order to establish the human rights in the real spirit. Government, non government organisations and educational institutions should strive towards the same, he said and added that former president Dr A P J Abdul Kalam was a true humanitarian. The children should follow his noble path, he added.

MLC Ivan D’Souza pointed out that the State Human Rights Commissioner had been headless for a long time and urged that the chairman for the commission should be appointed soon.

Former minister J Krishna Palemar, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim, University College Principal Prof U Sunanda, HRFI District Women Committee President Chandrika Prabhakar and College Human Rights Association Vice President Dr Latha A Pandith were present among others.