Chalameswar calls for eradicating inequality

Vijayawada: Supreme Court judge Justice Jasti Chalameswar has reiterated that equality is the cornerstone of the Indian Constitution. Delivering the third lecture organised in memory of late senior advocate Kanthamaneni Ravindra Rao here on Sunday, Justice Chalameswar said the Constitution is not a mere book but was society’s very breath.

Stating that inequality is everywhere in the world including the greatest democracy of the USA, he said: “The question is how to get rid of it.” The Constitution clearly enumerated that no person should be discriminated against irrespective of the caste, creed, colour, gender and religion.

He said that one person’s diktat used to guide society in the medieval period though sometimes majority opinion differed from it. Yet, one cannot say majority opinion was right, he said and recalled that Socrates was condemned to death by all the citizens who stated that his opinions were detrimental to society.    

Stating that the democracy should be built on the basis of equality, Justice Chalameswar cautioned against hero worship which would harm society. For the simple reason someone did good to society, his wards need not be supported if they lack virtues, he added. 

Hereditary politics is not only bad for society but also dangerous, he stated. Referring to the increased role of money in politics, Justice Chalameswar said the civil society should think over it as to how to curb its role.

The Supreme Court judge said that strong determination is important to achieve change in society. “Let us inspire society around us to achieve the change,” he added.

Justice Chalameswar pointed out that independent judiciary was important for peaceful society and the aim of the Constitution was to promote society. “It is the duty of the civil society to protect and guard the Constitution,” he added.

Expressing concern over the growing corruption, he said that everyone talks about corruption and nobody does anything about it. “Let everyone of us decide to keep off corruption from our lives,” he said.

Retired district judge D Satyanarayana Reddy presided over the meeting and Bar Council of AP member Sunkara Rajendra Prasad and Bezwada Bar Association president Somu Krishna Murthy spoke.

Siddhartha Law College principal Dr Ch Divakar Babu speaking on the occasion recalled the sterling and landmark judgments pronounced by Justice Chalameswar.

Earlier, Vemulapalli Satyavani, daughter of Ravindra Rao, welcomed the gathering and K Rajagopal, son of Ravindra Rao, was present.  Two B Tech students Kodali Yaswantini and Betapudi Divya were given financial assistance to pursue their education.