10th December, 2016 Jindal Global University (JGU) observed World Human Rights Day on 10th December at a solemn function organised by JGU’ s Centre for Human Rights Studies (CHRS) at the India Habitat Centre on 10th December, 2016.
Jindal Global University took this to occasion to honour one of the noted human right crusader from North East, Babloo Loitongbam. Mr Loitongbam through his organization, Human Rights Alert, has been in the forefront of promoting justice, rule of law and peace in Manipur for over two decades. Noted human rights litigator of Supreme Court, Dr Colin Gonsalves also graced the occasion as the chief guest.
Lamenting on the global socio-political scenario at large plagued with strife, conflict and ethnic cleansing, Vice Chancellor, Prof (Dr) C Raj Kumar said that wish we could “celebrate” human rights day. In Jindal Global University many ways, “we solemnly recognise the long struggle that is needed for achieving human rights to its fullest potential ”, Professor Raj Kumar added.
On awarding Babloo Loitongbam, Professor Raj Kumar added, “it is not an award but a recognition of a contribution for steadfastly adhering to the principle and values that shaped the evolution of human rights and working under extreme adverse circumstances that goes beyond any individual”.
Recipient of the award, Mr Loitongbam, long struggled in the pursuit of justice and peace in conflict ridden Manipur for over two decades. He has been an inspiration to many to peacefully join the struggle against injustice, impunity and inequality, strictly within the contours of the Indian Constitution.
Accepting the award Mr Loitongbam spoke about the long road ahead and asserted his steadfast believe in peaceful resolution of the conflict. Citing Irom Sharmila’s case as a historical pointer in reaching out to the global world to take a note and made the world realise about Manipur’s decades long struggle for human rights, Mr Loitongbam said that he hopeful of emergence of a “transformative leadership” which comes out and tries to look out humanity at both side and frame the question of not so much as” who is wrong but what is wrong? And what can be done to on both sides”.
JGU also lauded and honoured the effort of Extra –judicial Execution Victims’ Families(EEVFAM), Manipur.EEVFAM is a unique organization, perhaps only one in the world which constitutes of widows of people killed in extra judicial execution. EEVFAM has gained appreciation for their dedicated work in documenting and presenting a strong case in front of Supreme Court of India highlighting the plight and alleged instances of illegal extra judicial killings in Manipur.
On this day JGU also launched JGU Human Rights Clinic, an initiative at the micro level to reach out to the prison, juvenile homes in neighbouring Sonepat. It is also an attempt to instil in students about developing a high sense of social consciousness towards deeper sense of human values that needs to be perpetuated.
This event was part of an initiative by of Centre for Human Right Studies, (CHRS) of O P Jindal Global University, an institute in in promoting social justice and human rights.
