Future of democracy in peril, says Prof. Haragopal

Human rights activist accuses successive governments of depriving the Adivasis of their rights and of depleting natural resources at an alarming rate by working for the MNCs

Human rights activist and former professor at the University of Hyderabad G. Haragopal predicted a gloomy picture for democracy in India given the rising inequalities, which he said could affect the social order.

He spoke on Sunday at a seminar organised by Vamapaksha Praja Sanghala Vedika, a platform of left-wing conglomerate, on the theme: Is law equal to all?

Prof. Haragopal saw a threat to democracy despite having a democratic constitution. Quoting B.R. Ambedkar, he said, “There is equality of vote, but there is also inequality in society.” He flagged the systemic failure to annihilate the caste system even after 75 years of law enactments.

Terming the Adivasis as the rightful owners of natural resources and forest wealth, he accused successive governments of depriving them of their rights and of depleting natural resources at an alarming rate to benefit the multinational companies (MNCs), which, he said, would bring doom to humanity.

He also referred to the late Prof. G.N. Saibaba’s travails in the face of “Draconian laws, inhuman leadership, indifferent judiciary and discriminatory practices of jail authorities.”

“UAPA has shut the doors on the face of the citizens and prevented them from accessing the judicial system for reasonable legal remedies”G. HaragopalHuman Rights Activist

“UAPA has shut the doors on the face of the citizens and prevented them from accessing the judicial system for reasonable legal remedies,” he lamented.

B. Gurrappa Naidu of Kadapa Bar Council presided over the session. Trade union leader Ram Bhupal, CPI and CPI(M) district secretaries Gali Chandra and B. Chandrasekhar, Rayalaseema Communist Party (RCP) leader N. Ravishankar Reddy, APCLC member B. Venkateswarlu were among those who spoke.

Published - December 15, 2024 08:46 pm IST