Kindness Should Not Be Bartered: Justice Dinesh Maheshwari Addresses Human Rights Day Conference Organised By RGNUL

The inaugural session was graced by Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India and Chairman, Law Commission of India; Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul, Former Judge, Punjab & Haryana High Court; Mrs. Mamta Kumari, Member, National Commission for Women; Dr. Kishore Singh, Former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education; Prof. (Dr.) Manpreet Singh Manna, Former Vice-Chancellor, Chandigarh University; and Air Marshal Kulwant Singh Gill.

Justice Dinesh Maheshwari delivered the inaugural address on the essence of true fairness and kindness. He stated, “If you want to be fair, be it, but don't seek something in return; otherwise, it is barter. When people are in their survival mode, we prioritise our immediate needs; kindness should not be muzzled by acknowledgement.” Drawing on ancient Indian philosophy, he referenced the dialogue between King Janak and Yajnavalkya to illustrate the source of human enlightenment. His address served as a powerful reminder that the fundamental strength of human rights lies not in external validation but in intrinsic moral awareness and selfless action. Justice Maheshwari noted that shifting paradigms have been norms of every age. He emphasized that the capacity for ethical courage and adaptation is central to upholding human dignity across all eras.

Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul offered a judicial perspective rooted in real-world application. Justice Kaul stressed on the need to ensure that vulnerable populations are safeguarded, particularly noting the protection of children. She lauded the conference as a collaborative platform, describing the outcome of the collective deliberation as “Nectar from churning of thoughts and experiences”.

Mrs. Mamta Kumari spoke with passion and clarity about the practical challenges faced by women across the country. Her address centred on the ground realities affecting the rights of women in India till date. Drawing from her extensive experience in community work, she detailed the structural and cultural barriers that continue to impede full gender equality and access to justice. Her insights offered a crucial link between policy formulation and on-the-ground implementation, stressing that the paradigm of human rights must fundamentally address the lived experiences of women in rural and urban India alike.

Earlier, Prof. (Dr.) Jai S. Singh, Vice-Chancellor, RGNUL Punjab, welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted the growing need for human-rights frameworks to evolve proactively in a technology-driven era.

The conference also spotlighted international human rights concerns. Dr. Kishore Singh discussed the complex ethical and legal implications of Artificial Intelligence, including issues of privacy, bias, and discrimination. He called for robust global governance mechanisms to ensure that technological progress does not undermine fundamental rights.

Furthering the discussion on technology, Prof. (Dr.) Manpreet Singh Manna noted that while AI may enhance legal processes, it can never replace human emotion or empathy, which remain essential to justice.

Air Marshal Kulwant Singh Gill concluded the deliberations with reflections on leadership and moral courage, drawing inspiration from the character of Bharat in Indian tradition.