From Left: Dharitri and Orissa POST editor Tathagata Satpathy, renowned Supreme Court advocate Karuna Nundy and eminent women’s rights activist and author Flavia Agnes at 85th birth anniversary celebration of Nandini Satpathy at Soochana Bhawan Thursday.
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Bhubaneswar, June 9: Speaking at the Nandini Satpathy Birth Anniversary Celebration at Soochana Bhawan here Thursday, eminent women’s rights activist Flavia Agnes and renowned Supreme Court lawyer Karuna Nundy described the late leader as an inspiration for generations of women.
A lecture on the question ‘Has the rule of law led to misrule?’ was organised as part of the 85th birth anniversary celebration of Nandini Satpathy, Orissa’s first – and so far only – woman chief minister who is popularly known as the ‘iron lady’ of the state. Both Agnes and Nundy, speaking as as chief guests, presented their views on the topic. Tathagata Satpathy, Editor-in-chief of Dharitri and Orissa POST and the MP from Dhenkanal, succinctly introduced the topic at the jam-packed auditorium.
While Agnes dwelt elaborately on issues such as Hindu culture remaining largely unimpacted by various laws seeking to reform regressive practices, Nundy spoke on a diverse set of issues such as the crisis facing the Bhopal gas tragedy victims and laws regarding women’s rights. In his introduction, Satpathy spoke on Indian laws benefiting mostly the powerful and influential.
Both Agnes and Nundy also said many of the present laws are not being robustly implemented. Agnes said, “The present laws have not made any serious impact on Hindu cultural practices. Laws against child marriage and polygamy are yet to reach the vast rural areas of the country.”
Citing a recent census, Agnes said around 84 per cent child marriages were reported among Hindus and that the number of Indian children getting married illegally is close to the population of Jammu and Kashmir. Women still face domestic violence and are not allowed to work and earn. Dowry deaths are reported every other day. Such cases and those of suicides by married women are reported mostly in India. Women in distress do not get help from anyone and they cannot approach lawyers as the latter charge hefty fees. While the laws have failed disadvantaged women, the governments, courts and police are also responsible for their ordeal. Even today a couple gets disheartened when a girl child is born,” added Agnes.
“Honour killings are reported in our country on a regular basis. Such cases are not limited only to northern India; such heinous crimes can also be witnessed in Maharashtra,” she further said.
Nundy stressed the absence of balance in the rule of law in India. The apex court lawyer cited the example of the Bhopal gas tragedy victims. “The Bhopal gas tragedy not only killed a large number of people, it also dangerously unfolded in the following years, taking its toll on future generations. Successive Congress and BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh did precious little for the people affected by the tragedy. Even today the people in the area do not get pure drinking water. Although the courts convicted some Indian officials in the case, the quantum of punishment was too little. It was similar to the punishment a violator of traffic rules gets for drunk driving,” she said.
“Yes, we need more courts, more judges, and a larger police force to expedite pending cases. Dr BR Ambedkar had rightly said that India cannot be a free nation until every individual gets his right,” Nundy added.
