Social justice for a vast majority of Indians remains an unfulfilled dream even today; six decades of self-rule have not been able to ensure what eluded the country prior to Independence in 1947. “Right to live is still a distant reality for many in the country despite legislation enacted by our Parliamentarians and exercise of judicial activism,” declared Mr Justice B N Srikrishna, who has been lauded for his fearless report on the Mumbai riots. Delivering the 16th Rosalind Wilson Memorial Lecture on “Social Justice – Dream or Reality” in the Capital on July 28, Justice Srikrishna said social justice in the Indian context is nothing but a tantalising mirage. Unless the rights, especially the Fundamental Rights, though enforceable, as promised by our Constitution, are made available to the poorest of the poor and the downtrodden of the country, social justice would remain a distant dream in spite of the zealous and brave acts of the Supreme Court, he said.
Justice Srikrishna said the right to living with dignity still eludes many despite assurances by various governments. On the food and health front, India still falls behind sub-Saharan Africa, he added. “Illiteracy of Indian masses speaks volumes on the Right to education, high mortality rate among children and mothers defies the right to health and rampant instances of discrimination show the inefficacy of right to gender equality,” he said. How can we talk of human rights when our governments have time and again failed to ensure even the ‘right to food’ to all, asked Justice Srikrishna.