TOPIC OF THE DAY:-“Principle of non-retrogression”
Important for citizen consideration today is the fact that the Supreme Court, in deciding on the unconstitutionality of Section 377, recognised that the four corners of the Constitution rest on a social reality steeped in prejudice, stereotypes, parochialism, bigotry, social exclusion, and segregation. If decriminalising “unnatural” sex is one of the “necessary steps on the road to democracy”, abolition of untouchability in all its forms remains an unrealised constitutional right. The lesson on the importance of intersections in constitutional reasoning today is brought home to us in this case in yet another way. There is recognition by the court that majoritarian governments/sections work hard to keep oppressive structures in place, and that it is the duty of the court to place questions of liberty, equality, and dignity out of the reach of majoritarian impulses. The sanction for manual scavenging lies at the heart of majoritarian mindsets and structures. It is part of an ideological framework that permeates the institutional apparatus of government. If, as Justice Misra observes, “the sustenance of fundamental rights does not require majoritarian sanction”, can we call for some constitutional-procedural deliberation on the “progressive realisation of rights” in this instance? The principle of non-retrogression in the matter of fundamental rights has now been unequivocally stated. But on our streets, we only observe it in the breach especially in the case of manual scavengers.
To end with Ambedkar: “We must remove this contradiction at the earliest possible moment or else those who suffer from inequality will blow up the structure of political democracy.”
MEANING AND WORD
1) steep
Meaning : soak (food or tea) in water or other liquid so as to extract its flavour or to soften it.
Synonyms : abrupt , lofty
Antonyms : calm
Example : “the chillies are steeped in olive oil”
2) scavenging
Meaning : search for and collect (anything usable) from discarded waste.
Synonyms : lurk , stroll
Antonyms : ignore
Example : “people sell junk scavenged from the garbage”
3) sustenance
Meaning : food and drink regarded as a source of strength; nourishment.
Synonyms : livelihood , nutrition
Antonyms : deprivation
Example : “poor rural economies turned to potatoes for sustenance”
4) unequivocally
Meaning : in a way that leaves no doubt.
Synonyms : certainly , easily
Antonyms : doubtfully
Example : “we unequivocally condemn any violence in the protest”
5) breach
Meaning : an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct.
Synonyms : crack , rift
Antonyms : closing
Example : “a breach of confidence”
6) contradiction
Meaning : a combination of statements, ideas, or features which are opposed to one another.
Synonyms : conflict , difference
Antonyms : accord
Example : “the proposed new system suffers from a set of internal contradictions”
7) permeates
Meaning : spread throughout (something); pervade.
Synonyms : imbue , pervade
Antonyms : dry
Example : “the aroma of soup permeated the air”
8) impulses
Meaning : a sudden strong and unreflective urge or desire to act.
Synonyms : desire , feeling
Antonyms : concrete
Example : “I had an almost irresistible impulse to giggle”
9) despite
Meaning : without being affected by; in spite of.
Synonyms : against , although
Antonyms : exalt
Example : “he remains a great leader despite age and infirmity”
