Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court Justice Sanjib Banerjee today came down heavily on the “VIP culture” that persists in the country and said this has separated those in power from the common man in terms of the way they conduct themselves and the extent of privileges they enjoy.
Speaking at the function to commemorate the International Human Rights Day held at the State Convention Centre here, he said that it is futile to demolish mass structure only to feed the VIP culture of those in authority.
While India boasts of many modern amenities, hunger, poverty, lack of shelter and health care have not been addressed adequately, he said.
The Chief Justice lamented the caste system and suppression of women and said that these are an inheritance of a post colonial feudal culture which the country cannot be proud of.
Pointing out that human rights centres to the very notion of peace and development, Justice Banerjee said that promotion of political rights alone will not lead to full enjoyment of human rights but economic, social, and cultural rights are equally important. He said the judiciary also has a crucial role to play in safeguarding the individual’s right to dignity.
The programme was organized by the Meghalaya Human Right Commission on the theme “Equality – Reducing Inequalities, Advancing Human Rights.”