* Could women, at times, make better judges than men?* D uring my childhood and perhaps much after, there was no lady Judge, at least in Goa. The reason, I was told, was that women were found to be too emotional and could perhaps allow the heart rule over the head. But, today, the Bombay High Court has two Goan Lady Judges Anuja Prabhudesai and now Nutan Sardesai.
Apparently, Bombay HC also has the highest number of Lady Judges, among the High Courts in India. If it is always a matter of pride for us to watch our fellow Goans rise to exalted positions, it is all the more so when such placements are inherited as a matter of right by virtue of their character, integrity and impeccable service record. In a society, where injustice is the norm and the legislatures and executive act not only contrary to the wishes of the people but also with glaring impunity against their own rules and regulations, the Judiciary is the only source of hope to this country. Ordinary citizens often feel the need, in public interest and at the cost of their health, finances and time, to approach Courts to prevent irreparable damage to their land, people and environment. One would have expected the Judiciary not only to appreciate such gestures but to deliver speedy justice in such cases as also punish bureaucrats for dereliction of duty when they willfully overlook or refuse to act, thus constraining citizens to spend their valuable money in avoidable litigations and Courts their precious time. Unfortunately, that rarely happens. On the contrary, sometimes these public spirited citizens are penalized and made to deposit heavy sums with the Court and are victims of unfavourable and delayed decisions. This demoralizes righteous people and raise justified suspicions about Judges’ integrity, thus damaging the prestige of the Judiciary. Judges surely realize the serious and important responsibilities vested in them to dispense justice to those who seek or are deprived of it. Holding an outstanding position in the Judiciary is undoubtedly a matter of immense pride and a great privilege which is given to only a few. However, some Judges seem to be keener in obliging the establishment and its cohorts rather than giving decisions which will ensure justice to victimized public. This is utterly shameful, disgusting and a blot on the Judiciary. If it is distressing to hear unsavoury remarks about some Judges, it is all the more depressing when people express, through their own experience, their resolve not to approach Courts so long as their case is likely to be heard by a particular Judge. The prestige and dignity of the Judiciary should be uppermost in the minds of these Judges and they must never allow it to be tainted with the colour of their official attire. I do not have the privilege of knowing personally Justice Nutan Sardesai, though I recall her as a young girl living in my old neighbourhood in Margao, but the laudatory references made about her by several people raise hopes and inspire confidence that the Judiciary and particularly the High Court in Goa is set for better days ahead. It is to be hoped that the Hon. High Court will take suo motu cognizance of serious issues concerning the safety, health and lives of the people in Goa and the environment of the State. Incidentally, it was another Lady Judge who, in a matter of gross illegality, had imposed a commendable and just though severe punitive action, which was unfortunately overturned by her male counterpart. This was later endorsed by another male Judge, thus nullifying a good and exemplary decision. With women now occupying high positions in society as also in High Courts and Supreme Court and proving, at times, to be better Judges than men, it is time they stop hankering after reservations either in Parliament or elsewhere, which are neither fair nor just. Two ladies, Pratibha Patil and Indira Gandhi have served as President and Prime Minister of this country though, frankly, I am no admirer of either. Indira, I feel, was responsible for the darkest period of India’s history. But still she does have many admirers, including Manohar Parrikar, who surely never surprised anyone in saying so, as he shares her autocratic qualities. Reservations for women or others, not based on economic considerations, are solely aimed at placating vote banks, not out of love for them. Pressures for reservations from various communities may have no end and are bound to create further divisions in our society. The importance of merit cannot be understated, as rightly pointed by Justice Pardiwala of Gujarat High Court, who apparently is sought to be impeached, mainly by stalwarts of the vanishing Congress, on grounds of his remarks against reservations. He considered these, alongwith corruption as being responsible for choking the development of this country. The RSS is known to have reservations about “ reservations”. The BJP crushes poor and humble people’s movements, like it did in Cavrem, to pamper the wealthy with an eye on their finances for the forthcoming elections. It surely feels that money can always buy votes. Elsewhere it is not the locals but the vote banks that count. Fellow Goans, we must rise against the injustices being heaped on us by this aggressively anti- Goan Government. Such audacity should not be tolerated any further and must stop forthwith. The time for complacence is over. Be it in support of people at Cavrem, Mangueshi, Betul, Mapusa or Vasco, we must unite to protect Goenkarponn, not as claimed by the hypocrite in New Delhi, but to ensure that Goa remains Goa and Goans come first, before the rest… ( The author is a retired banker)
