Former Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde said the participation of civil society in the democratic process was the need of the hour as the system has failed the masses.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of Civic Leadership Incubation Programme (CLIP) conducted by Bengaluru Political Action Committee (B.PAC), Justice Hegde said with greed overtaking ethics in society, it behoves people to reverse the present situation where the qualities of honesty and humanity have been eroded by money and power.
Earlier, former prime minister Deve Gowda expressed concern over Bengaluru’s drinking water shortage and the garbage crisis. “The system is falling apart. But I am not a pessimist. So I hope that upcoming leaders will live up to the expectations of the masses they represent,” he said. He also said courts should check availability of Cauvery water before delivering regular verdicts ordering Karnataka to release water.
Gowda held politicians responsible for many problems in society and urged people to send informed leaders to political organisations. Otherwise, all our slogans are nothing but tools of self deception, he added.
T V Mohandas Pai, vice-president of B.PAC, said social evils were products of civil society’s ignorance. He said people need to stand up and fight for the values they believe in.
Biocon MD Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, the president of B.PAC, former additional chief secretary to government of Karnataka, K Jairaj and others were present.
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