Hyderabad: Driven by the winds of globalisation, people are moving towards a global culture which is emerging as a threat to local cultural symbols and identities, even as social media, television and pop culture glamourise a particular way of life that the people are sadly “blindly aping”, Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana said on Friday, at Osmania University.

Speaking at the 82nd convocation of Osmania University here, CJI Ramana also said it is high time for all institutions to introduce a subject on the basic ideas about the Constitution and governance, irrespective of the stream of learning. The ideas of the Constitution need to be simplified for everyone’s understanding and empowerment.

“With rapid globalisation and massive developments in science and technology, several cultures and identities are interacting with each other with increased frequency. Driven by the winds of globalisation, we are moving towards a global culture. As this global culture engulfs the world, the need for sustaining diversity assumes great significance,” said Justice Ramana.

“The global culture is emerging as a threat to local cultural symbols and identities. The social media, television and pop culture glamourise a particular way of life and sadly we are blindly aping the same,” CJI Ramana added.

Stating that his observations should not be taken as criticism of globalization per se, CJI Ramana said the prevalent issues definitely prove that something has gone wrong with the present model of globalisation.

“Although we have made significant achievements, our societies are becoming increasingly divided over access to wealth and resources,” he further said.

Quoting the 2021 UNESCO World Report of Languages, CJI Ramana said half of the approximately 7,000 languages spoken in the world today could disappear by the end of the century and with loss of each language, people are not only losing considerable literature and folklore, but also losing wisdom inherited through generations.

The march of globalisation has significant impact on genetic diversity as well and as a result the rapid loss of crop varieties, wild species and indigenous livestock are being witnessed, Ramana said.

As the market is driven by demands of the global economy, more and more farmers are moving beyond indigenous crops for short-term gains and this change in cropping pattern is altering the character of soils, thereby reducing its capacity to support biodiversity.

Similarly, climate change and environmental pollution are also affecting the wild varieties resulting in a huge ecological imbalance, said Ramana.

“Another aspect of globalisation is its impact on local handicrafts and artisans. With global brands flooding the markets, with mass produced designs and products, the local artisans are pushed to the corner,” he opined.

According to Ramana, true education is what nurtures true impulses and independent thinking. Instead of being prisoners of the status quo, the youth need to dive deep and bring transformation from within. “You cannot change the world with mere high principles and morals. You need to act,” he said.

Stating that honouring plurality is another aspect that is key to the sustenance of democracy, Ramana said, instead of fostering the feeling of “othering”, education should lead a country where the people can nurture diversity.

CJI Ramana who was conferred Honoris Causa doctorate by Osmania University recalled his memories with the varsity during his student days though he did not study in the institution.

The CJI Ramana said that Osmania University is one of those institutions where political participation and scholarly pursuits went hand-in-hand and it has produced one of the most remarkable prime ministers and statesmen of modern India in the form of P V Narasimha Rao.

Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan also spoke in the convocation.

Courtesy: The Siasat Daily

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 “The threat to human rights and bodily integrity are the highest in police stations. Custodial torture and other police atrocities are problems which still prevail in our society. Inspite of constitutional declarations and guarantees, lack of effective legal representation at the police stations is a huge detriment to the arrested and detained persons,” said Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana at an event organised by the National Legal Services Authority of India (NALSA).

He referred to some reports to highlight the deplorable state in the country, and said that even the privileged sections are not spared third degree treatment in police stations. He added that the dissemination of information about the constitutional right to legal aid is significant in keeping police excesses in check.

“The installation of display boards and outdoor hoardings in every police station is a step in this direction”, he remarked. However, CJI Ramana said that NALSA must also actively carry out nationwide sensitisation of police officers, as issues of human rights and dignity are sacrosanct.

The event that took place on August 8, was organised by NALSA to release its vision and mission statement along with the legal services’ mobile application. Besides CJI Ramana, Supreme Court judge, Justice UU Lalit, the Executive Chairman of the NALSA was also present.

Further, the CJI also highlighted the importance of legal aid that had its roots in the freedom movement when legal luminaries rendered pro-bono services to freedom fighters, who were targeted by the colonial rulers. He said for a society to be governed by the rule of law, “it is imperative for us to bridge the gap of accessibility to justice between the highly privileged and the most vulnerable…We must remember that the realities of socio-economic diversity which prevail in our nation, cannot ever be a reason for denial of rights.”

Towards the end of the speech, he urged all lawyers, especially seniors, to dedicate some percentage of their working hours to help those in need. “No institution, how big or noble, can be successful, unless it is ably aided by all the stakeholders to turn it into a public movement,” he concluded.

During the ongoing monsoon session, the Centre has informed the Parliament that between 2020 to 2021, as many as 1,840 deaths in judicial custody have been recorded across all states and Union Territories, and 100 deaths have been recorded in police custody, reported SabrangIndia. The state with the highest tally of judicial custody deaths is Uttar Pradesh (443), followed by West Bengal (177), Bihar (156) and Madhya Pradesh (155). Gujarat has reported the highest number of police custodial deaths between 2020 and 2021 at 17, followed by Maharashtra (13) and Madhya Pradesh (8).

Furthermore, the number of judicial custodial deaths have been increasing over the years as 1,797 cases were recorded between 2018 and 2019, and 1,584 cases were reported between 2019 and 2020. 

The speech delivered by CJI NV Ramana may be viewed here:

Related:

1840 deaths in judicial custody, 100 in police custody between 2020-21: Centre
Why has India still not ratified UN Convention against torture?
Gujarat reported highest number of police custodial deaths: Centre in LS
Has torture in police custody become routine?

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