The appeal highlights Justice Reddy’s exemplary five-decade career, marked by his commitment to constitutional values and social justice

metro india news  I hyderabad

A group of concerned citizens, including prominent academics, journalists, social activists, and professionals, has issued a fervent appeal to Members of Parliament to support the candidature of Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, former Supreme Court judge, in the Vice-president election. The appeal emphasizes the urgent need to safeguard India’s democratic institutions, which the signatories claim have been increasingly undermined over the past decade.

The appeal highlights Justice Reddy’s exemplary five-decade career, marked by his commitment to constitutional values and social justice. Notably, his landmark judgments, such as those emphasizing the government’s fiduciary responsibility over public property, underscore his courage and dedication to the underprivileged. The signatories, including luminaries like Prof. Ch. Hanumantha Rao, former Planning Commission Member, and Prof. Shanta Sinha, former NCPCR Chairperson, argue that Justice Reddy’s independent thinking and integrity make him an ideal candidate to restore democratic traditions.

The statement expresses alarm over the autocratic tendencies observed in Indian democracy, affecting both opposition and treasury bench MPs. It points to the Rajya Sabha’s diminishing space for meaningful debate, which has hampered the deliberative process and MPs’ ability to fulfill their responsibilities. The appeal calls on MPs to rise above partisan lines, heed their conscience, and contribute to reviving India’s parliamentary traditions, globally respected for their democratic ethos.

Signed by over 120 distinguished individuals, including Prof G Haragopal, Mallepally Lakshmaiah, Prof Kodandaram and journalists like K Srinivas Reddy, K Ramachandra Murthy and others, the appeal underscores the rare opportunity to support a candidate of Justice Reddy’s stature. The signatories urge MPs to reflect deeply and act to prevent the erosion of democratic principles, emphasizing that endorsing Justice Reddy’s candidature is a critical step toward reinforcing India’s democratic framework.

This collective call to action seeks to unite conscientious parliamentarians in protecting the rule of law and ensuring a level playing field for all, free from fear or favor, to uphold the democratic values that define India.