Empowering women is dharma: CJ Kishan Kaul

Chennai: The Madras High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said the empowerment of women - economic, social and by education and empowerment of the socially and economically backward – is an important aspect of Dharma.

After releasing a book on ‘Dharma and Law’ - a tribute to the pitamaha of the Indian Bar, K. Parasaran’, on Sunday, Chief Justice Kaul said “Woman takes her own place in the society. The caste systems will have to break down. All men and women will be equal. This is the objective of Dharma. A modern current perspective is equally applicable and the Constitution of India is intrinsically based on the concept of Dharma, more specifically Parts-III and IV of the Constitution.”

CJ said the doctrine of the basic structure of the Constitution of India developed on the touchstone of Dharma. He said we are facing troubled times. The process of evolution is on, which must take care to preserve our heritage and yet advance ours as a modern society.

Eminence, scholastic ability and honesty of purpose above all have to be the hallmark of both a Judge and a Lawyer, he said. Columnist and professor of legal anthropology at Sastra University, S. Gurumurthy, said over the years, the country moving from market economy to market society. Families in the West based on contractual obligation rather than natural obligation. This was not so in the country.

Acknowledging the tributes, MP and senior advocate K. Parasaran, said judge should abide by law and take refuge in dharma. The book was released as a part of his 90th birthday celebrations. A large number of dignitaries including sitting and retired judges of High court and Supreme Court, senior advocates and staff and students of Sastra University attended the programme.