Friday 11 December 2015

Clean environment a basic right: CJI


Clean environment a basic right: CJI



Clean environment a basic right: CJI
Chief Justice of India T S Thakur.
NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India T S Thakur, speaking on the occasion of Human Rights Day on Thursday, said that "clean environment is also a part of fundamental right".

Asserting that Supreme Court recognises this 'right to life', the CJI said, "So, if somebody is polluting the environment, he/she is not only violating the Environment (Protection) Act, but also right of others."

His remarks come at a time when a larger discussion has started on pollution and SC has agreed to examine banning of diesel cars.

The CJI indirectly connected the raging debate on increasing intolerance with human rights. "I want to eat a particular kind of food. If you allow me to eat, it gives me happiness. Anything that makes me happy is the companion of my human rights, but happiness should not be sadistic...anything that is harmless and gives happiness should be treated as human rights," the CJI said.

He made the remarks while referring to the expression—the Right to Equality of Opportunities in Pursuit of Happiness— which appears in the US Constitution and said, "It embraces all human rights". "I want to have a right to education. I want to have a right opportunity.

I want to profess a religion, a particular faith, if you guarantee the right, I am happy. That gives me the happiness. I want to eat a particular kind of food, if you allow me, it gives me happiness," he said.

The Chief Justice also expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that in a metropolitan city like Delhi, where there are many human rights violations, there is no state human rights commission.

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