T'puram: The Supreme Court's timely interventions were instrumental in ensuring the right to live with dignity without discrimination, said former Supreme Court (SC) Judge, Justice K M Joseph. Speaking at the Human Rights Day celebration organized by the state human rights commission (SHRC) at the Science and Technology Museum on Tuesday, Justice Joseph highlighted how the judiciary made the constitutional right to dignity accessible to all through landmark judgments.
Justice Joseph emphasized that religions have always prioritized human dignity, teaching that everyone is equal before God. He noted that the SC upheld this principle by interpreting the right to life as the right to live with dignity. He elaborated on the judiciary's role in defining and upholding the quality of life, addressing servitude in workplaces, recognizing the right to privacy and freedom of expression, and establishing the human rights of those involved in criminal cases.
Justice Joseph referred to significant rulings, including the recognition of transgender persons as the third gender, affirming their right to live with dignity. He also cited the judgment in the Jeeja Ghosh case, where the SC upheld the dignity of a disabled woman who was offloaded from a flight. Other landmark decisions include the declaration of privacy as a fundamental right, the decriminalization of consensual same-sex relations, and the legal recognition of the right to die with dignity. Justice Alexander Thomas, SHRC chairperson, observed that human rights extend beyond legal codes and require a justice-conscious society for effective implementation. Judicial member K Baiju Nath echoed this view, emphasizing the need for collective efforts in safeguarding rights.