Moodbidri: Puthige Convention Center inaugurated
Moodbidri: The newly constructed Puthige Convention Center, built by the Puthige Kadalakere Noorani Masjid, was officially inaugurated on Thursday, December 12.
The convention center was inaugurated by Dr. M. Mohan Alva, President of Alva's Education Foundation. Speaking later, he said, "We are all fortunate to be born in this country. India is an ideal country in the world. Despite having the largest population, it is not limited to one caste, caste, religion, or language. Moodbidri is a land of harmony. It should continue like this."
“We need to deeply understand the caste, religion, and language that our ancestors have created and incorporate them into our lives. It is possible to live as a human being only if we have culture. It is a sign of harmony to fully understand one's own caste and religion and to view other castes and religions with respect and brotherhood,” added Alva.
Rev. Fr. Melwyn Noronha, Parish Priest of Holy Rosary Church, Alangar, who graced the event as the chief guest, said that Moodbidri is still a place full of harmony. The Noorani Masjid here is a symbol of harmony and the programs that everyone is doing together, setting aside the barriers of caste and religion.
Abul Ala Puthige, President of Puthige Noorani Masjid, who presided over the ceremony, said that the true picture of harmony is evident in the program held at the inauguration of Puthige Convention Center. He said, “This is the specialty of our Moodbidri.”
The ceremony included the distribution of financial assistance to over 10 families from various religions who are struggling with ill health and financial difficulties. Several individuals, including sportsperson Amrin, health worker Vimala K., academic workers Riza Sheikh Riaz, Aisha Amna Sheikh, Riya Rafique, and businesswoman Nazma, were felicitated for their contributions.
On this occasion, Padma Shri Harekala Hajabba was felicitated by Puthige Convention Center and Noorani Welfare Trust.
Former Minister K. Abhayachandra Jain, Vice President of Puthige Noorani Masjid Shaikh Basheer, General Secretary Mohammed Khayyum, Puthige Grama Panchayat Member Mohammed Shareef, female entrepreneur Sara Abbas and others were present during the program.
Meanwhile, a 20% discount on bookings for the Convention Center is being offered for events booked by the end of December, and the income generated from the center will be used for supporting the poor, assisting the sick, and educating underprivileged students, as announced by Abul Ala Puthige during the inauguration.
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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.
