10.11.2014
There is a concerted
effort to change the basic secular character of the Indian Constitution:
Justice PB Sawant, former SC Judge
Justice Sawant in conversation with Teesta Setalvad for
Communalism Combat and Hille Le tv.
Justice Sawant was on the supreme court bench that upheld
secularism as one of the pillars of the Indian Constitution as also Chairperson
Press Council of India
In conversation with Teesta Setalvad, Justice Sawant
shared thoughts about secularism, ethical behaviour, Indian
democracy and the integrity necessary to be a judge.
He spoke to Teesta about secularism being part of the
basic structure of the Constitution of India and how it was simply
brought into the Preamble through a Constitutional Amendment to emphaise this
fact. As the very nature of the secular state in India, based on its
Constitution comes under threat and attack, Justice Sawant said that there
would be a "strong contestation" if there were any attempts at
changing "even a word in the Indian Constitution as far as secularism is
concerned." The attempts at the conversion of India into a theocratic
state where Hindus enjoy superior rights was afoot but would be resisted and
challenged, he declared.
Justice Sawant also pointed out that religious texts of
every Faith display guidelines to ethical behaviour that can inspire societies
and lawmakers. and that those in high office should never forget that they
represent the Constitution of a secular state based on diversity and equal
rights for all.
While talking about his book The Grammar of
Democracy, Justice
Sawant highlighted that "as long as we do not ensure (every person's right
to contest an election), we cannot say that we have a truly representative
democracy."
Watch Justice Sawant in conversation with Teesta Setalvad
on...
Websites
www.hillele.org
Reference
The Grammar of Democracy, by Justice
Sawant
Crimes Against Humanity, The Concerned
Citizens Tribunal (CCT) Gujarat 2002
http://www.sabrang.com/
http://www.sabrang.com/
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