Right-wing populism poses growing threat to democracy, constitutional balance: Brazilian SC chief
Bengaluru: Justice Luis Roberto Barroso, president of Brazil's Federal Supreme Court, addressed students at the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru on Tuesday, highlighting the increasing threat posed by right-wing populism to democratic values. He emphasised the crucial role of Supreme Courts in both Brazil and India as defenders of constitutional values.
Justice Barroso characterised constitutional democracy as a “two-sided coin,” emphasising the need for both popular sovereignty, through free and fair elections, and the rule of law, which includes protections for fundamental rights. “These two sides must coexist for true democracy. Rule of the majority without constitutional limits can easily slide into abuse,” he was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
He also warned of the divisive nature of right-wing populism, which often fosters an “us versus them” mentality that erodes trust in essential democratic institutions. “(Right wing) populism tends to frame society into two sides—the ‘good people’ they claim to represent and the ‘corrupt elite’ they accuse of undermining the majority’s will,” Barroso mentioned.
Justice Barroso cautioned that in this framework, the courts, press, and universities, are often labelled as enemies for not conforming to narratives of the majority. He further shed light that populist governments frequently seek to fill courts with loyalists who will prioritise their interests rather than uphold the constitution, as mentioned by the publication.
He asserted that courts must resist authoritarian encroachment in this global wave of democratic recession, adding that the Supreme Courts like those in Brazil and India must act as defenders of constitutional values. “Our role is to protect human dignity, fundamental rights, and the rule of law—without becoming political actors. By remaining impartial and committed to these principles, courts play a crucial role in sustaining democracy, even in the face of populist pressures that seek to destabilise it,” he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
UP: Misled by GPS navigation, car falls into river from partially constructed bridge, 3 dead
Bareilly (UP), Nov 24: Three people died when their car fell into the Ramganga river from a partially constructed bridge here on Sunday, police said, adding that they suspect the driver was misled by its navigation system into taking the unsafe route.
The accident occurred around 10 am on the Khalpur-Dataganj road when the victims were travelling from Bareilly to Dataganj in the Badaun district, they said.
"Earlier this year, floods had caused the front portion of the bridge to collapse into the river, but this change had not been updated in the system," Circle Officer Ashutosh Shivam said.
The driver was using a navigation system and did not realise that the bridge was unsafe, driving the car off the damaged section, the police said.
There were no safety barriers or warning signs on the approach to the damaged bridge, leading to the fatal accident, Shivam said.
Upon receiving information, police teams from Faridpur, Bareilly and Dataganj police station rushed to the spot. They recovered the vehicle and the bodies from the river, Shivam added.
The circle officer said that bodies had been sent for post-mortem. Further investigation into the matter is underway.
— Bareilly Police (@bareillypolice) November 24, 2024
