The concept of human dignity has a growing significance in jurisprudence or the philosophy of law, especially when it comes to human rights, said Justice A.K. Sikri, Judge, Supreme Court of India, while delivering the Justice M.R.A. Ansari Memorial Lecture here on Saturday.
Justice Sikri, in his paper ‘Growing significance of dignity jurisprudence in the world of ascending human rights’ said, “In the last few years, certain rights have been created and recognised as fundamental ones in an ever-expanding and ascending jurisprudence of human rights. I may only add that it’s a ‘work in progress’ and with the changing notions of morality, democratic values and social challenges, we may see further expansion of such human rights in future.”
Justice Sikri had earlier pointed out that in Indian Constitution, the word dignity occurs only once and that too in the Preamble. However, in jurisprudence, the idea of dignity was ingrained as exemplified by several judgments which upheld human dignity while ruling in favour of human rights.
Justice Sikri said a human being has the right to dignity while undergoing trial, after conviction, while imprisoned and even while facing death. The value of human dignity in jurisprudence is ascertained Constitutionally as every person’s right to life and liberty, he said.
Justice Sikri dedicated his lecture to Justice Ansari, who was a champion of human rights.