Kerala High Court judge B. Kemal Pasha has said that public perceptions and beliefs must be in tune with the changing times. He added that discriminating any Indian citizen on the basis of their faith or gender was a violation of their fundamental right to equality.
Mr. Pasha said social boundaries must not hinder the freedom of an individual. He was also critical of religious views which forbade believers from organ transplantation and blood donation. “We should not confine our thoughts to primitive perceptions. Religious teachings must undergo gradual changes as society progresses. We can no longer persist with rigid norms that harbour inequality,” he said.
He called for creating awareness on the plight of those born with HIV/AIDS. He sought the support of voluntary organisations to ensure that such sections were provided employment opportunities and other assistance.
Violation
“Several misconceptions in our society prevent them from progressing in their lives. There have been instances in which persons born with HIV are forced to leave schools or are dismissed from workplaces. Such cases were violations of Article 21 of the Constitution of India which guarantees right to life and personal liberty,” he said. He was inaugurating the 4{+t}{+h}annual district convention of the International Association of Lions Clubs District 318A on Saturday.
