Kerala - Kozhikode   

Supreme Court verdict will limit higher education to a chosen few: advocate

Staff Reporter

`For the majority of us, it will not be affordable'

IN SERIOUS DISCUSSION: Sukumar Azhikode, social critic, with the advocate K. Ramkumar, right, at a symposium on the role of judiciary in Kozhikode on Monday. — Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

KOZHIKODE: The courts have a responsibility to protect the basic rights of the lowest among the low in society. When such rights are violated in contravention to the inherent spirit of the Indian Constitution, "We the people of India have the right to question such violations," K. Ramkumar advocate, Kerala High Court, said here on Monday.

Mr. Ramkumar was delivering the keynote address at a symposium on "Role of judiciary in Indian democracy," organised by the Sukumar Azhikode Trust at the Town Hall here on Monday.

In a detailed exposition on the role of the judiciary considered sacrosanct by the public in a democracy such as the Indian Republic, Mr. Ramkumar said the recent judgment of the Supreme Court on self-financing colleges was of utmost contemporary relevance as it would affect the future of scores of students who had the ambition of pursuing a professional career.

"The recent judgment on self-financing colleges will be a matter of concern for parents of students seeking admission to professional courses. For the majority of us, it will not be affordable and will affect the family budget. It is under such circumstances that the inherent spirit of the Constitution is being violated when higher education will become the priority of only a chosen few, the elite," Mr. Ramkumar said. He said judges were not above criticism. Criticism was vital to conserve the sanctity of courts. He deplored the tendency of the higher courts to ignore corruption charges against judges and the practice of appointing judges based on caste and religion.

It was the responsibility of people's representatives, advocates and the media to highlight the drawbacks of the judiciary which ought to act to safeguard the Indian Constitution .The recent Supreme Court ruling on self-financing colleges could be likened to a referee who directed the players how to play. "It is not for the referee to take up such a role. And the executive must be alert on the connotations of such a role by the judiciary."

Mr. Ramkumar decried the undue haste with which courts went about earning more benefits for the members of the judiciary, and likened the tendency to a trade union model of activity.

Trust patron C.K. Ramachandran presided over the function. Sukumar Azhikode, social critic, addressed the gathering.

Trust chairman A. Sankaran and the member M.N. Karassery, among others, were present.

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