Aligarh: “Majoritarianism and modes of instant justice including fake encounters undermine the criminal justice system and credibility of democratic and law and order institutions”, said Mr. Anshuman Yadav IPS, IG, Directorate General of CRPF, while addressing the inaugural session of the two-day workshop cum training programme, titled “Promoting Human Rights Awareness: A workshop for Future Leaders”, organised by the Department of Political Science, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), in collaboration with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), New Delhi.
Mr Yadav, an alumnus of AMU, said human rights are fundamentally about treating others, especially marginalised individuals and communities, with humanity and empathy.
“There are certain habits and practices prevalent in our society, including patriarchy, that play a fundamental role in human rights violations. The society celebrates criminals; movies on criminals become popular and people with history-sheet get elected as our representatives. Such attitudes lead to disregard for justice and constitutional principles” he noted.
Quoting from his field experiences, the CRPF IG stressed the need to petition and protest as a citizen against atrocities and injustices, so that authorities realise the mistakes and work for course correction.
He also described the dilemmas that police face and the challenges that human rights activists are bound to face in the field.
Presiding over the session, Prof Naima Khatoon, Vice Chancellor, AMU said, “Every person has the right to live with dignity and our conduct and behaviour as a teacher or officer shouldn’t be humiliating for our subordinates”.
She noted that the patriarchy prevalent in the society often leads to gender and human rights violation, so people need to be vigilant against such conducts.
The Vice Chancellor also cautioned the faculty members against using humiliating words to the students in the class, and reminded the attendees to lead by example and respect the dignity of the people who are their subordinate.
Prof Khatoon congratulated the department for organising the workshop on a very relevant topic and inviting able experts as resource persons.
Earlier, delivering the welcome address, Prof M. Nafees Ahmad Ansari, Chairperson, Department of Political Science, AMU introduced the guest of honour Mr. Anshuman Yadav IPS.
Discussing the theme of the workshop cum training programme, he said human rights are at the heart of the constitutional order of the modern state. “Unless people know their rights they cannot protect or seek redressal when these rights are violated,” he said.
Quoting from the core principles of different religions, he explained the values of empathy and significance of serving all human beings, irrespective of religion, community, caste and class. He also expressed gratitude towards the NHRC, highlighting the two decades long association of the Department with the organisation.
Dr. Naghma Farooqui, convenor of the workshop, conducted the proceedings and introduced the theme of the workshop, while Dr. Aisha Imtiyaz proposed a vote of thanks.
