HYDERABAD: At 62, if anything that noted human rights lawyer and activist Nandita Haksar regrets not doing is the fact that she never raised voice against casteism. Haksar, whose career spans over four decades of defending those categorised as terrorists, Naxalites or ones branded as anti-social elements, pointed out that it was not a conscious effort not to raise the issue but felt she should have consciously made an attempt to raise the issue’.
“One thing I regret and I believe I should have fought more than a lot of other things is the caste system. It stems from Hinduism and also the biggest violation of human rights. We should begin a fight in a way we haven’t even started,” said Haksar, who claimed hatred for all religions. Speaking at the Hyderabad Literary Festival, the author of more than 15 books also pointed out how the Indian society is completely dehumanised.
“We do not feel for anyone else,” she said noting how religion in India forms its premise on inequality. The session was moderated by Kalpana Kannabiran, a sociologist and legal researcher. Defending those in conflict with the law invites a lot of criticism but Haksar dedicated her entire career fighting for the rights of these people. “You need to love everyone in order to be able to do the job,” she shared.