‘Goal of democracy unchanged, but it is failing in current circumstances’

Retired Supreme Court Justice B. Sudershan Reddy.
| Photo Credit: File Photo

Growing concerns over religious and caste conflicts in the country is not a good sign for democracy. Although the goals of democracy set by the country through its Constitution have not changed, democracy is failing in the current circumstances, Justice B. Sudershan Reddy said on Monday.

Delivering the Prof. G. Ram Reddy Memorial Lecture themed ‘Weathering Secularism’ here at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU), he said the prevailing circumstances for democracy are “very dangerous for the people of the country”.

The former Supreme Court judge also opined that the very institutions which are supposed to protect democracy are being used as a weapon for vendetta. “The way the courts are dealing with atrocities against women is sad. Crime has increased in the country. People are voicing concerns about the atrocities committed by political parties and politicians during the elections,” he said.

While education should be available equally and freely to all, corporate educational institutions are commercialising it. As a result, the poor and weaker sections of society are not getting quality free education, he said, expressing concern.

Justice Reddy remembered the services of G.Ram Reddy in ensuring that higher education is available to the poor in the country and praised the efforts in spreading higher education to all sections.

On maintaining secularism in the country, he said it will not be difficult if the rulers behave as servants of the poor and act according to the Constitution.

Secretary of Prof. G Ram Reddy Memorial Trust, G. Haragopal said the commemorative lectures are aimed at remembering and passing on the services of G. Ram Reddy for the spread of distance education to the future generations. He said that the journey and history of higher education in the country cannot be known fully without discussing G. Ram Reddy.

Mr. Haragopal also observed that the judicial system in the country is in a crisis and wondered if the lecture theme was ‘weathering secularism or withering secularism’.

BRAOU Vice-Chancellor Ghanta Chakrapani, former V-Cs V.S. Prasad and K.Seetharama Rao, and Ram Reddy’s family members were present.