Philanthropist, Educationist, Dr. MR Shetty passes away
Mangaluru: Prominent philanthropist and Educationist, Dr. MR Shetty, passed away on Monday morning. The funeral rites of Dr. Shetty will be held at his residence "Swagath' between 11 am - 1 pm on Monday, family said in a release.
"It is with indescribable grief, we announce the sad demise of our esteemed and honourable, Dr M.Ramgopal Shetty, Son of Late Dr.M.V.Shetty, Husband of Prof Hima Urmila Shetty, Loving father of Dr Divyanjali Shetty and Dr Rohila Shetty, Father in Law of Dr Ranjith Shetty" the release from the family stated.
Dr M.R Shetty was the Founder Secretary of Dr M.V.Shetty Trust colleges and through the Trust he was instrumental in introducing many vocational courses in Nursing, Physiotherapy, Speech and Hearing, Medical Laboratory Technology and Social Work and Education under Mangalore University.
He also served as executive member in the Rehabilitation Council of India. Under his able guidance and administration the Trust manages 15 different graduate and post graduate courses in eight different streams affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore and Mangalore University, Mangalore. Dr. Shetty had his early education at St. Aloysius High School, Mangalore and went on to complete his graduate and postgraduate professional education in Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. Later he left to UK on a vascular surgery fellowship.
On his return from UK he served as Asst. Professor in Surgery at KMC itself and worked there till 1989.
Dr M.R Shetty had a vision in not only providing quality health services and training of professionals in each of the allied medical fields but also in educating the public and providing affordable diagnostic and therapeutic facilities in collaboration with the Government especially to those in need. Keeping the needy in mind, he also initiated the blood bank at the Govt. Wenlock hospital. It can be said that his contribution has been vital in transforming the paramedical scene in Karnataka State as well in India.
He served as the Syndicate Member for three years at Mangalore University and also at RGUHS, Bangalore. Dr M.R Shetty was a visionary and a humble human being who has touched lives of many students and professionals across the globe.
"It is an irreparable loss and has left a deep void. His loss does us apart,He will never be away from our Heart.
There are special people in our lives that never leave us after they are gone, their legacy always remains" the release further added.
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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.
