<p class="bodytext">Former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde lamented that money power and position are handsomely rewarded in the society rather than humanity.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He was delivering a special lecture as a part of the decennial celebrations of the Karnataka State Law University at the Vaikunta Baliga Law College in town on Monday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hegde said that the problem of illiteracy is looming large and is posing a threat to democracy. “According to a study conducted in 2009, out of more than 543 parliamentarians, those who spoke at least once were only 174 parliamentarians. The remaining were voiceless. If this is the case, why do we need representatives? Yet, these parliamentarians draw a good salary,” he lamented.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Poor economic condition</p>.<p class="bodytext">Elaborating the pathetic economic situation in the country and the negligence prevalent, the former Lokayukta cited the example of the GST, which was introduced by the NDA government. He stated with humour that the same coalition had opposed the bill that had been proposed by the UPA government earlier.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Humanitarian values are declining. The country is being divided for illogical reasons,” he lamented.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He also referred to the examples of the separation of Telangana and the cry for a separate North Karnataka state, which emerged after the chief minister's baseless assertions.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">‘Living in fantasy’</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said that the reality is totally different as most of the time people are living in a fantasy world. “We have to live as one country with multiple religions, cultures and languages. Do not fall for and become victims for job-oriented incentives and divisions,” Hegde urged the youth.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said that, along with the Legislature, the Judiciary is also gradually losing its relevance. He questioned the very object of justice delivery system.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Students should act as the conscience of the society. Shortcomings exist in all walks of life as the country has lost its moral values. Humanism is totally different in practice than what is called in today’s context. Every day, accidents take place and the heavily bleeding victims scream for help. How many people really care about them? Instead, all are busy photographing and video graphing. They do not have basic courtesy,” he expressed worry.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">‘Criminals welcomed’</p>.<p class="bodytext">Coming down heavily on the massive corruption taking place, the former Lokayukta said that corruption has been at the core of all affairs in the country. “It is sad that even people who are imprisoned for crime are welcomed with garlands,” he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hegde called upon the youth to come forward to fix the existing problems. “Values, moralities and humanities are the only way out for a healthier society,” he reminded.</p>
<p class="bodytext">Former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde lamented that money power and position are handsomely rewarded in the society rather than humanity.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He was delivering a special lecture as a part of the decennial celebrations of the Karnataka State Law University at the Vaikunta Baliga Law College in town on Monday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hegde said that the problem of illiteracy is looming large and is posing a threat to democracy. “According to a study conducted in 2009, out of more than 543 parliamentarians, those who spoke at least once were only 174 parliamentarians. The remaining were voiceless. If this is the case, why do we need representatives? Yet, these parliamentarians draw a good salary,” he lamented.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">Poor economic condition</p>.<p class="bodytext">Elaborating the pathetic economic situation in the country and the negligence prevalent, the former Lokayukta cited the example of the GST, which was introduced by the NDA government. He stated with humour that the same coalition had opposed the bill that had been proposed by the UPA government earlier.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Humanitarian values are declining. The country is being divided for illogical reasons,” he lamented.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He also referred to the examples of the separation of Telangana and the cry for a separate North Karnataka state, which emerged after the chief minister's baseless assertions.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">‘Living in fantasy’</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said that the reality is totally different as most of the time people are living in a fantasy world. “We have to live as one country with multiple religions, cultures and languages. Do not fall for and become victims for job-oriented incentives and divisions,” Hegde urged the youth.</p>.<p class="bodytext">He said that, along with the Legislature, the Judiciary is also gradually losing its relevance. He questioned the very object of justice delivery system.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“Students should act as the conscience of the society. Shortcomings exist in all walks of life as the country has lost its moral values. Humanism is totally different in practice than what is called in today’s context. Every day, accidents take place and the heavily bleeding victims scream for help. How many people really care about them? Instead, all are busy photographing and video graphing. They do not have basic courtesy,” he expressed worry.</p>.<p class="CrossHead">‘Criminals welcomed’</p>.<p class="bodytext">Coming down heavily on the massive corruption taking place, the former Lokayukta said that corruption has been at the core of all affairs in the country. “It is sad that even people who are imprisoned for crime are welcomed with garlands,” he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hegde called upon the youth to come forward to fix the existing problems. “Values, moralities and humanities are the only way out for a healthier society,” he reminded.</p>