Hindus, women real victims of right-wing's politics: Sasikanth Senthil
'Manava Ratna' Award to Senthil, 'Seva Ratna' to K S Nisar Ahmed, 'Souharda Ratna' to Fr. Martis
Udupi, November 10: Thiruvallur MP and former IAS officer Sasikant Senthil has voiced concerns that Hindus and women are among the most affected by the rise of right-wing politics in India. He made these remarks while receiving the 'Manava Ratna' award at a ceremony organized by the Udupi District Muslim Okkuta on Sunday, held at the Basel Mission Memorial Auditorium.
In his address, Senthil argued that although Muslims are often seen as targets of right-wing politics, Hindus and women face serious consequences as well. "Eighty percent of Hindus have enjoyed respect and rights after the constitution came into effect," he stated. He added that the objectives of right-wing forces include undermining the Constitution and dividing the country through fear-based politics. According to Senthil, a minority of 20% seeks to control and diminish equality in society, contrasting with 80% of Hindus who have traditionally benefitted from constitutional rights and access to education.
Senthil warned that right-wing politics operates not on hate alone but primarily through fear, manipulating insecurities to sway voters. "This fear-driven approach fuels societal conflicts, which eventually become dangerous for everyone," he said, adding that it is the responsibility of all, especially the majority community, to oppose such divisive politics by upholding constitutional values. He emphasized that the silence of the majority is a significant factor in the growth of right-wing politics, which must be confronted to protect India’s unity.
Dr. Purushottama Bilidmale, President of the Kannada Development Authority, spoke at the event, acknowledging the longstanding contributions of Muslims in fostering communal harmony in India. He noted that a lack of awareness about India’s inclusive culture has led to the spread of misconceptions. "Our history has a strong foundation in unity," he stated, urging society to collectively work towards preserving harmony.
Abdulla Kunhi, Chancellor of Yenepoya University, inaugurated the event, emphasizing the significance of inter-community relationships in building a strong, harmonious society. He stressed that caste, religion, and language should not hinder friendship among communities, which is essential for sustaining national unity.
Yasin Malpe, President of the Udupi District Muslim Okkuta, expressed concern about the systematic spread of hatred in society, particularly against Muslims. He argued that media platforms are being used to sow religious discord among youth and school children. "An entire community is being targeted for the wrongs of individuals, which hinders the potential success of such friendly gatherings," he said, advocating for initiatives that foster community connections and mutual understanding.
The conference recognized distinguished activists and leaders for their contributions. Sasikant Senthil was awarded the 'Manava Ratna' award, K S Nisar Ahmed, a prominent NRI businessman and well known philanthropist from Karkala, received the 'Seva Ratna' award, and Udupi priest Fr. William Martis was presented with the 'Souharda Ratna' award.
Other notable individuals honored at the event included Dr. Gananath Ekkar for his contributions to literature, former Udupi JPM President Sarasu D. Bangera, Udupi District Women's Union's former President Sarla Kanchan, Dalit leader Annappanakre, and social workers Nithyananda Ukkadu and Hasinar Kodi Kundapura.
The award recipients—Senthil, Ahmed, and Fr. Martis—each donated their award funds to local activists. Senthil’s amount was directed to social activist Nithyananda Ukkadu, Ahmed’s to Annappa Nakre, and Fr. Martis’s to social worker Hasinar Kodi.
During his speech, Senthil urged the community to defend the Constitution as a means to counter right-wing agendas. "The fight isn’t between Hindus and Muslims; it’s about those who believe in the Constitution and those who don’t," he remarked. He underscored that the survival of citizens’ rights depends on the protection of constitutional principles, which he believes will empower a majority of Indians.
The event also featured a Quran recitation by Hafiz Yunus, a friendship song by Shankar Das and his band, and a prayer song by teachers from Hude Salihat School. The Union District General Secretary Idrees Hoode delivered a vote of thanks, while Dr. Jamaluddin Hindi welcomed attendees and narrated the program.
Bilidmale closed the event by stating that forces disrupting harmony are true "traitors," urging citizens to protect the cultural heritage of unity. "Friendship is not imported but is an intrinsic part of our land," he said, calling for a collective effort to rebuild and secure the future of the country and its children.
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.
Deep societal faultlines persist despite 75 years of independence: Justice Ujjal Bhuyan
Judge cites denial of home to Muslim girl, opposition to Dalit women cooking mid-day meals
Hyderabad, February 23, 2026: Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has said that despite repeated affirmations of constitutional morality by courts, deep societal faultlines rooted in caste and religious discrimination continue to shape everyday realities in India.
Speaking at a seminar on “Constitutional Morality and the Role of District Judiciary” organised by the Telangana Judges Association and the Telangana State Judicial Academy in Hyderabad, Justice Bhuyan reflected on the gap between constitutional ideals and social practices.
He cited a recent instance involving his daughter’s friend, a PhD scholar at a private university in Noida, who was denied accommodation in South Delhi after her surname revealed her Muslim identity. According to Justice Bhuyan, the landlady bluntly informed her that no accommodation was available once her religious background became known.
In another example from Odisha, he referred to resistance by some parents to the government’s mid-day meal programme because the food was prepared by Dalit women employed as cooks. He noted that some parents had objected aggressively and refused to allow their children to consume meals cooked by members of the Scheduled Caste community.
Describing these incidents as “the tip of the iceberg,” Justice Bhuyan said they reveal how far society remains from the benchmark of constitutional morality even 75 years into the Republic. He observed that while the Constitution lays down standards of equality and dignity, the morality practised within homes and communities often diverges sharply from those values.
He emphasised that constitutional morality requires governance through the rule of law rather than the rule of popular opinion. Referring to the evolution of the doctrine through judicial decisions, he cited Naz Foundation v Union of India, in which the Delhi High Court read down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, holding that popular morality cannot restrict fundamental rights under Article 21. Though the judgment was later overturned in Suresh Kumar Koushal v Naz Foundation, the Supreme Court ultimately restored and expanded the principle in Navtej Singh Johar v Union of India, affirming that constitutional morality must prevail over majoritarian views.
“In our constitutional scheme, it is the constitutionality of the issue before the court that is relevant, not the dominant or popular view,” he said.
Justice Bhuyan also addressed the functioning of the district judiciary, underlining that trial courts are the first point of contact for most litigants and form the foundation of the justice delivery system. He stressed that due importance must be given to the recording of evidence and adjudication of bail matters.
Highlighting the role of High Courts, he said their supervisory jurisdiction under Article 227 of the Constitution is intended as a shield to correct grave jurisdictional errors, not as a mechanism to substitute the discretion or factual appreciation of trial judges.
He recalled that several distinguished judges, including Justice H R Khanna, Justice A M Ahmadi, and Justice Fathima Beevi, began their careers in the district judiciary.
On representation within the judicial system, Justice Bhuyan noted that Telangana has made significant strides in gender inclusion. Out of a sanctioned strength of 655 judicial officers in the Telangana Judicial Service, 478 are currently serving, of whom 283 are women, exceeding 50 per cent representation. He added that members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minority communities, and persons with disabilities are also represented in the state’s judiciary.
He observed that greater representation of women, marginalised communities, persons with disabilities, and sexual minorities would help make the judiciary more inclusive and reflective of India’s diversity. “The judiciary must represent all the colours of the rainbow and become a rainbow institution,” he said.
Justice Bhuyan also referred to the recent restoration by the Supreme Court of the requirement of a minimum three years of practice at the Bar for entry-level judicial posts. While acknowledging that the requirement ensures practical exposure, he cautioned that its impact on women aspirants, especially those from rural or small-town backgrounds facing social and financial constraints, would need to be carefully observed over time.
Concluding his address, he reiterated that the justice system must strive to bridge the gap between constitutional ideals and lived realities, ensuring that the rule of law remains paramount.
