National
President concerned over weaker sections’ poor representation in higher judiciary (Lead)
New Delhi, Nov 25 (IANS) President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday expressed concern over the “unacceptably low” representation of women, OBCs, SC/STs in the higher judiciary and called for steps to remedy the situation.
“There is unacceptably low representation of traditionally weaker sections such as OBCs, SCs and STs especially in the higher judiciary,” he said, also noting that only one in four judges is a woman.
Asking the judiciary to walk in pace with other public institutions in being truly representatives of society’s diversity, the President said: “Like our other public institutions, our judiciary too has to be judicious in being representative of the diversity of our country, and the depth and breadth of our society.
“Of the 17,000 judges in our subordinate courts, High Courts and the Supreme Court, only about 4,700 – roughly one in four – are women,” he said. “We need to take long-term measures to remedy this situation.”
Telling the higher judiciary that it was its “sacred duty” to “groom” District and Sessions judges and raise their skill so that more and more of them can be elevated to High Courts, Kovind said: “This will also enhance trust in our lower courts and their judgments and serve to declog our High Courts.”
However, he also made it clear that the long-term solutions would be “without in any manner compromising on quality” of the judges and the judicial system.
The President was speaking at the inaugural function of the two-day meet organised jointly by the Law Commission and Niti Aayog on the National Law Day.
Pointing out that “India has acquired a reputation of an expensive legal system” coupled with delays and constraints of the “affordability of fees”, he said, “While we take pride in our courts and their independence, it is a paradox that poor often shy away from a legal battle, worried about duration and cost … while the “well-off sometimes use the judicial process and its intricacies to delay resolution to issues they simply do not want to be resolved”.
This “paradox”, has to be addressed including the issue of adjournments “used for tactical delay of proceedings by one or the other party”.
Kovind also called for simplifying the laws and repealing outdated laws thereby decongest the statute book and promote ease of governance.
The President said that the judiciary, the executive and the legislature were “obligated to be models of good conduct” and cautioned that “They also need to be careful not to cross into each other’s finely-defined spaces. Or give the opportunity to read transgressions even when none is intended.”
This overstepping of the each organ’s defined space can occur in many circumstances including when “extraneous comments and obiter dicta come to dominate public debates, crowding out a substantive understanding and deliberation of a well thought-out judgement”, he said.
Referring to technology outpacing the law, the President said that we are entering fourth industrial revolution and “Our legal system and judiciary must continue to be responsive”.
Minister of State for Law and Justice P.P.Choudhary in his welcome address, said: “It is a fundamental principle of governance that decisions should, as far as possible, be predictable and not disruptive. When judicial activism and review wades into policymaking, sometimes its consequences can be disruptive. This needs to be avoided if possible.”
“If judicial independence is a pillar of our democracy, then judicial accountability is the base of that pillar. Without accountability there can be no legitimacy,” he added.
–IANS
pk/vd
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
