Panel discussion on “Human Rights and National Security Concerns in India at PU
Chandigarh February 22, 2019
Keeping in view the recent heartbreaking Pulwama Attacks in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Centre for Human Rights and Duties in collaboration with Department of Defence and National Security Studiesorganised a panel discussion on the topic – “Human Rights and National Security Concerns in India: Emerging Challenges.” The panel consisted of Hon’ble Justice Jasbir Singh as the Chief Guest along with Prof. SurinderShukla, Col. Jaibans Singh, Sh. C. S. Talwar and Mr. VipulAttri as the student representative.
Panelists were welcomed by Prof. Jaskaran Singh Waraich, Chairperson, Department of Defence and National Security Studies and were handed over planters. A one minute silence was then observed in the memory of the victims of Pulwama Attack.
Justice Jasbir Singh, President,
State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, UT Chandigarh talked about the
uselessness of the marches and talks, selfies and worded to showcase our
concerns for our army-men. He emphasised on the idea that we shall have to
start from ourselves when we talk about change.
Col. JaibansSingh, stated that
various International Human Rights organisations while condemning the Pulwama
Attacks also mentioned the few instances of violence against Kashmiris in
various other parts of India. While they completely ignored the facts that a
lot of citizens came to the rescue of these Kashmiris as well. Some of these
organisations are deliberately engaging perception management with the intent
to undermine the image of India in the international community. Calls for
protest and Bandhs by separatists is also an act of Human rights’ abuse against
common citizens whose normal lives are disrupted as well as that of the
functioning of educational and healthcare institutions.
Col. Jaibans, Prof. SurinderShukla, Department of Political Science started
with Pulwama Attacks and quoted that such attacks do not only result
in loss of lives but a loss of trust. She also shared that she feels that the
kind of protection which is needed by our soldiers isn’t being clearly given
and this should be Indian citizens’ common concern. She pointed out that collaborationbetween
military and various think tanks can result as a significant solution to the
chaos.
Sh. C. S. Talwar, IAS, said that
in the current scenario, various pseudo human rights activists who have been
working deliberatively to undermine national security is a serious threat.
While talking about the ethos of the Indian Army, he mentioned the Chief of
Army Staff’s commandments for operating in a Counter Insurgency/ Counter
Terrorist environment and stated the Indian Armies a highly disciplined force
which has always worked towards upholding Human Rights.
Mr.
VipulAttri, Joint Secretary, PUCSC emphasised with Dr. Ambedkar’s ‘Rights can’t
be absolute’ and deliberated to why restrictions are necessary. He then talked
about the initiation of Social Contract and then ended with Mahatma Gandhi’s
ideology.
Dr. Namita Gupta, Chairperson,
Centre for Human Rights and Duties delivered a vote of thanks. This panel
discussion was also attended by various faculty members, serving military
officers, research scholars, and students of the University.
