When one talks of human rights in the Indian context, it bothers us and leads to a lot of soul searching. Even after years of independence and a history replete with myriad respectable traditions, we are still witness to rampant violations of human rights. What is more, we have not done away with untouchability, caste-related conflicts and women as well as children are still marginalized. The picture is not different in various parts of the globe. Why do we lack the conviction to eradicate such ills?

These were some of the questions that panelists and participants deliberated upon at the international workshop on human rights and separation of powers under the aegis of Garden City College. Organized to coincide with the induction program of the new batch of students, luminaries from the legal profession spent time enlightening the enthusiastic gathering about the functioning of the judiciary system, its drawbacks and ways to safeguard human rights.
Speaking on the Status of Human Rights in Karnataka, Justice Dr. S.R. Nayak said: “There is no dearth of written material on human rights in the country including the writings of Basavanna,
Dr. Ambedkar and others. However, there can be no change if there is no will or conviction to make change,” he warned: “We have to make start from the highest levels of governance and come down to the common man on the streets.

Prof. RLM Patil, former Head of Department of Political Science, Bangalore University spoke the need for separation of powers. But it was Justice Dr. Shivraj V.Patil, who set the tone for the panel discussion after the inaugural session. Agreeing that there are instances where the judiciary has failed to live to public expectations, Justice Dr. Patil said we must realize that the judiciary compromise of human beings who are not immune from making mistakes and often overloaded with so many litigations unlike the United States. “Despite the many challenges, it is doing a great job,” he said. Even then, he was also critical of the praise of the Indian Constitution. “Indeed its great document but the contents should be put in practice,” he further reiterated that no document can serve its purpose if does not cater to the interest of the people it is supposed to serve. The greatest tribute to humanity, he noted will be when every individual learns to respect and treat others as they would expect to be treated. “Human right is the spine of human rights; he concluded to a thunderous applaud. 

Earlier, in his welcome speech, Prof. V.B. Coutinho, former Vice Chancellor, Gulbarga University and President, GCC Governing council reiterated the need to safeguard individual's rights in the country saying the world owes its freedom from the events leading to the French Revolution.
The workshop was also attended by participants from Queen's University, Canada led by Mr. Chetan Phull.

In his concluding remarks, His Excellency, Dr. Joseph V.G., Honorary Consul of the Republic Of Maldives in Bangalore and Chairman, Garden City Group of institutions called on the participants to reflect on the wisdom passed by the luminaries and practice the same in life.