KU campus observes Human Rights Day

Thiruvananthapuram: The department of political science, University of Kerala, Kariavattom campus, organised a talk on the “Relevance of Human Rights in Contemporary Indian Law and Politics.”

The talk was delivered by G Mohan Gopal, the jurist and former vice-chancellor of National Law School of India, Bengaluru.

Gopal shed light on the common ground shared by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Indian

Constitution

. Both documents are beacons of human rights that have stood the test of time. The scope of human rights in the text of the UDHR needs a revisit and broadening to make it suited to the present times, he said.

The role of Dr B R Ambedkar in representing the voices of the oppressed was reiterated by the legal luminary. The audience was reminded of the exemplary role played by Dr Ambedkar in shaping a constitution that gave thrust on fundamental rights and separation of powers by the jurist.

Gopal pointed out that the Indian constitution is anchored in the ideals of freedom, equality, liberty and dignity. That the Constitution has to be the guide of our interpersonal behaviour was a crucial point highlighted by the jurist.

The session was followed by a lively discussion between the jurist and the students and faculty of the department of political science. The question-answer session touched on the state-citizen relationship during the pandemic phase, the importance of upholding constitutional values, and the political subtext of the Uniform Civil Code. The role of Buddhism in creating a debate surrounding human suffering and thereby uplifting the oppressed was highlighted by the jurist.

The talk was chaired by Suresh R, head of the department of political science who spoke of the importance of human rights in the Indian context and how a constant engagement between the citizens and the law will lead to the evolution of human rights in the Indian context.