Hyderabad: The Telugu Region Catholic Lawyers’ Forum meet was held at St Mary’s College of Pharmacy auditorium, Secunderabad, on Thursday. It was headed and organised by Bishop of Eluru, Polimera Jaya Rao who is also the chairman of Canon Law, Telugu Catholic Bishops’ Council (TCBC). The Bishop introduced the purpose of the gathering, importance of a legal cell and the areas where the need of amendment in the Christian Personal Law was needed. He discussed on the new reforms in the law as well strengthening the members of the Christian Community in the knowledge of law on the land.
The meet invited all the religious priests and nuns who are lawyers and social activists. More than 100 priests and religious participated. Many lawyers, academicians, sitting and retired judges, priests, legal staff and students, religious men and women of both Telugu states working for the common people along with other like-minded people spoke on social justice and human rights in India.
The main objective of the forum is to bring all Catholic lawyers to a single platform to address the concerns of the people with a view to help the marginalised and poor people through their interventions.
One of the delegates pointed out about the Indian Christian personal Marriage Act of 1982, and the need to reform the Act. “The basic problem in the society should be addressed and justice should be delivered on time,” said another delegate adding the Christian Personal Law should also be amended.
Former acting Chief Justice, High Court of AP, Justice V. Eshwaraiah, who attended the forum, spoke on social justice and human rights in India and the role of advocates. Speaking in the same tone, Judge of Telangana High Court Dr. G. Radha Rani, informed the advocates and their role in the justice delivery system. She urged all the advocates to be sincere, honest, dedicated and charitable in their professions.
Advocate SC and former member of National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), Jessy Kurian spoke on the rights of women and minors in advocacy, mainly on protection of their rights as women and minors.
Father Raju Alex explained the participants the importance of having legal aid cell in each dioceses of Telugu region, initiated taking the details and areas of interest.
Thomas Lloyd, city-based lawyer, who stood as a moderator during the discussion expressed that this meet would enhance the knowledge of the fellow lawyers in the community as well to get wider idea on people views.
