NAGPUR: Amending or introducing laws against atrocities will not have the desired effect if the people’s mindset is not changed when it comes to dealing with issues like casteism and untouchability, said Kishore Rohee, former judge of the Bombay high court, on Thursday.
In his presidential address at a symposium on ‘Untouchability and atrocities against SC, ST and women’, organized by All India Lawyers and Law Graduates Association at Nyay Mandir, Civil Lines, Rohee referred to the recent judgment of the Supreme Court that said “the torch used to remove darkness should not be used to lit up fire”.
He commended that it was for the first time that a seminar on this issue has been organized by lawyers and students’ body. He regarded lawyers as intellectuals and responsible citizens and said that they should continue to strive for the betterment of the society.
Addressing the gathering, BJ Agrawal, former president of
Nagpur District Bar Association, said the evil of untouchability continues to exist which is evident from the ghettos in today’s villages. Developing anti-caste attitude is the best solution to address the issue. For this to happen, Agrawal said, people should read social books and understand the philosophy of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Talking about unequal practices among the learned and religious people, advocate Lihipande said it would be a fallacy if the education system was not based on humanitarian principles.
Advocate
Rajendra Patil spoke on rising cases of atrocities against women and people belonging to the SC and ST categories. He mentioned the latest incidents in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and said leather related professions of these sections of the society are being used to commit atrocities in the name of cow vigilantism. Many letters were sent to the authorities concerned on this issue, but to no avail, he added.
AR
Bhutada was present at the function that was hosted by Ravi Gavai. Yashwant Meshram proposed a vote of thanks.
(Reporting by
Subodh Sagar)
BJ Agrawal (from left), former justice KJ Rohee and Rajendra Patil during the symposium, on Thursday