Heartfelt connections key to harmony: Panditaradhya Shivacharya Swamiji
Dr. Ronald Colaco Samarasya Award ceremony
Mangalore: Harmony in society can only be nurtured through genuine connections of the heart, not mere words, emphasized Sri Panditaradhya Shivacharya Swamiji, the seer of Sri Math Sanehalli Hosadurga Chitradurga. Accepting the Dr. Ronald Colaco Harmony Award at the ‘Pepere Pepe Dum’ festival — the largest brass band event on Karnataka’s coast — organized by the ‘Ami Ani Amchim’ organization at Kelarai Church on Sunday, Swamiji stressed that true harmony blossoms from sincere relationships between people.
Addressing the gathering, Swamiji observed that today, across various sectors including religion, politics, society, and economy, individuals sometimes forsake ideals in pursuit of power and wealth. While caste may be an inherited identity, he said, it’s possible to transcend these limitations through achievements. “Why construct barriers among us when we share the same origins?” he questioned, adding that society must blend tradition and awareness to break down such divides. “Awareness does not require ritual, and ritual without awareness lacks purpose,” he said, pointing out that this disconnect poses a threat to societal harmony.
Swamiji also shared an anecdote underscoring the importance of prioritizing respect for parents and elders. He recalled a story of a wealthy man who spent a fortune on his dog, only to find it had wandered to an old-age home where his mother, who had once fed the dog, lived. The dog’s loyalty reflected the man’s neglect of his own mother, a poignant reminder of misplaced priorities.
Swamiji expressed concern over the growing distrust towards leaders in the religious and political realms, noting that while not all leaders have lost their way, negative influences are on the rise. “It’s vital to recognize the forces fostering harmony in society,” he urged, pointing out that organizations like ‘Ami Ani Amchim’ are dedicated to this mission.
Reflecting on an earlier visit to Mangalore, Swamiji recalled a warm welcome extended by a Muslim family, particularly young girls, and the sense of communal cooperation he witnessed at a welfare event in Bellary, where Muslim and Christian youth volunteered for traffic management and distributed offerings. “This is the essence of harmony,” he remarked.
He highlighted the importance of time awareness in one’s conduct. Those who respect and effectively utilize time, space, and awareness contribute meaningfully to society, he noted, urging all to work conscientiously to avoid self-deception and societal harm.
In his introductory speech, businessman and philanthropist Ronald Colaco praised the efforts of ‘Ami Ani Amchim’ in promoting harmony through diverse programs. “In today’s India, rich with diversity, our unity and harmony face unprecedented challenges,” Colaco said, adding that the selection of Panditaradhya Shivacharya Swamiji for the Harmony Award underscores his commitment to fostering societal peace. He urged politicians to reflect on their actions, especially when they disrupt social unity.
Colaco also lauded the festival’s role in reviving brass bands, a cherished but fading art, alongside the award ceremony. He emphasized that harmony is essential to sustain economic growth, especially in India’s culturally varied landscape, where a range of traditions and attire reflect the country’s diversity. Self-centered actions by certain political figures have harmed social harmony, he said, underscoring that unity would accelerate economic progress.
Panditaradhya Swamiji’s contributions toward peace and harmony were further recognized, with former Chief Minister Dr. M. Veerappa Moily extending his best wishes. Dr. Peter Machado, Archbishop of Bangalore, presided over the ceremony.
The event saw the presence of prominent personalities, including Dr. U.T. Iftikhar Farid, President of the Karnataka State Allied and Healthcare Board, former MLA J.R. Lobo, Vishal D Coscta from the Central Government Indirect and Customs Department, State Finance Department Additional Chief Secretary L.K. Atiq, businessman Rohan Montero, Karnataka Bari Sahitya Academy President Umar U.H., Wm. Fr. James de Soza, businessman Phillips de Soza, Sylvester de Krasta, Fr. Dennis de Silva, and local leader Alex Castellino.
Dennis de Silva, Chairman of ‘Ami Ani Amchim,’ extended welcome to the attendees, while Convener Santhosh de Costa read out the citation in honor of Swamiji’s contributions to harmony.
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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.
