Diversity is India's greatest strength, but forces damaging through hatred: Prashant Bhushan

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

“Diversity is India’s greatest strength, but forces promoting hatred were damaging it. The Supreme Court had repeatedly interpreted Article 21 to include food, clothing, shelter and basic amenities, yet large sections of the population remained deprived,” said Prashant Bhushan, prominent senior Supreme Court lawyer.

He was delivering a keynote address at the national convention on “Right to Life with Dignity” organised by the Movement for Peace and Justice (MPJ) in the city on Sunday.

Prashant Bhushan also expressed concern over malnutrition among children and alleged pressure on constitutional institutions.

Anupam, National President of Yuva Hallabol, said India is a youth-dominated country often described as a demographic dividend, but unemployment continues to push young people into extreme distress.

Salman Mukarram said rapid privatisation of facilities in government hospitals was undermining human dignity.

Social activist and advocate Abhay Taksal said the right to live with dignity cannot be realised if governance moves away from equality and constitutional values.

In his presidential address, Sadatullah Husaini, National President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, said India, despite being among the world’s largest economies, is home to one of the largest poor populations.

Wasiq Nadeem Khan, National Secretary of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), expressed concern over identity-based hate and violence. MPJ Maharashtra president Muhammad Siraj welcomed the delegates.