Denial of education led to inequality in society

Hyderabad: Historically the denial of access to education was the key factor in formation of hierarchical society in the country that denied humanity to those excluded and inflicted untold harm upon them ‘because they were deemed lesser by the elite’, observed Justice B Sudershan Reddy, former judge of the Supreme Court.

Delivering the 20th foundation lecture at Maulana Azad National Urdu University, here, on Tuesday, he said that society has failed in undoing the historical injustices, particularly in providing quality education to those who are at the lower strata. “On a personal front ‘I must confess to a deep sense of lack of emotional fulfilment of my own tasks as a human being and as an Indian who was bestowed the blessing of education.

 The de-humanisation of others, that is implied in keeping them shackled by ignorance, has to be necessarily a mark of my own dehumanisation,” he told to the large gathering of students and staff at the Directorate of Distance Education auditorium. 

Justice Reddy quoted Article 38, which says that the State shall strive to promote welfare of the people by securing and protecting a social order in which justice (social, economic and political) shall inform all the institutions of the national life.  

“A democracy is not just about periodic elections and the winning of this group or that the right to wield collective power...Its chief function is to structure reasoned and reasonable debate amongst all citizens to give shape to collective aspirations”, he said. 

Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, Pro Vice-Chancellor, who presided, spoke about the targets the university has set for itself. Dr. M A Sikandar, Registrar, presented a memento to the guest.