Shillong: Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court Justice Sanjib Banerjee has come down heavily on the “VIP culture” prevalent in the country, which he pointed out was against the interest of the common masses.
Speaking at a function on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, 2021, at the State Convention Center here today in commemoration of the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, he observed that “VIP culture separates those in power from the common man, in terms of the way they conduct themselves and the extent of privileges they enjoy.”
“It is futile to demolish mass structure only to feed the VIP culture. While India boasts of many modern amenities– hunger, poverty, lack of shelter and health care have not been addressed adequately,” Chief Justice Banerjee, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said.
The programme was organized by the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission on the theme “Equality – Reducing Inequalities, Advancing Human Rights”.
The Chief Justice stressed on the need to protect the diversity within the homogeneous identity of India.
Lamenting the caste system and suppression of women which are realities to this day, he said, “These are an inheritance of a post colonial feudal culture which we cannot be proud of .”
Stating that Human Rights are centered to the very notion of peace and development, Chief Justice Banerjee said that promotion of political rights alone will not lead to full enjoyment of Human Rights, adding that economic, social, and cultural rights are equally important.
“The Judiciary also has a crucial role to play in safeguarding the individual’s right to dignity,” he iterated.
