On December 16th, 2024 CLPR launched the Equality Now! series at a launch event held in the Lalit, New Delhi. Equality Now! is a four-part series of resource books aimed at making rights-based jurisprudence on issues of disability justice, transgender rights, women’s rights and caste discrimination accessible to community leaders, lawyers, activists, and researchers. The Equality Now series comprises of four titles:
- Disability Justice: Court Decisions on Disability Rights in India
- Why Caste Matters: Court Decisions on Caste Discrimination in India
- Transforming Courts: Court Decisions on Transgender Persons’ Rights in India
- Gendering Equality: Court Decisions on Women’s Rights in India
Each book presents landmark judgments with accessible summaries and contextual analysis. QR code links to the full judgments enhance the resource’s utility, fostering deeper engagement with the legal material. The project is supported by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Nithya Rajshekhar (Senior Research Associate at CLPR) introduced the audience and guests to the project and then invited H.E. Dr. Phillip Ackermann (German Ambassador to India) to deliver the opening remarks. Dr. Ackermann noted Germany’s commitment to advancing human rights and social justice and highlighted the importance of role of international collaborations to promote equality, pointing to the frequent lack of accessible resources for legal education. He appreciated the “Equality Now” series for addressing this gap by providing a comprehensive guide to legal rights and developments in India. Dr. Ackermann congratulated the CLPR team for developing resource books which were focused on the legal challenges and lived experiences of marginalized communities and can serve as a manual for understanding and enforcing rights. He expressed admiration for the way these books aim to create awareness and drive broader social change. He also commended CLPR for their grassroots efforts, which are pivotal in fostering an inclusive and informed society.
The keynote address was delivered by Hon’ble (Retd.) Justice Deepak Gupta (Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India). Justice Gupta spoke about the constitutional values of equality and fraternity, themes that resonate throughout the Equality Now! series. He highlighted the judiciary’s dual role as both a catalyst for social change and a reflection of societal biases. Justice Gupta acknowledged that while courts play a pivotal role in addressing systematic discrimination, they are limited in reforming social norms which require broader societal shifts. He specifically critiqued the continued persistence of caste-based inequities within the judiciary itself, including the appointment processes and called for better representation of marginalized communities. He also pointed out the slow implementation of the directives issued in landmark judgments, such as the prolonged delay in enforcing gender equity cases like those addressing women officers in the armed forces. Despite these challenges, he emphasized the importance of initiatives like the Equality Now! series in bridging gaps between court decisions and societal change, thereby inspiring continued efforts towards inclusivity and justice.
The launch event also included an engaging panel discussion with 4 distinguished panelists, Beena Pallical, (Director of the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights) Dr. Aqsa Shaikh, (Professor and Transgender Rights Activist), Dr. Satendra Singh (Professor and Disability Rights Advocate) and Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora. Meenakshi Arora emphasized the gradual yet impactful role of the judiciary in advancing women’s rights. She specifically referred to the Vishakha guidelines issued by the Supreme Court as a landmark judgment that initially faced resistance but eventually paved the way for legislative action to combat workplace harassment. Dr. Satendra Singh pointed out systemic failures in implementing disability rights, such as the lack of guidelines on reasonable accommodation, and stressed the importance of accountability in ensuring meaningful change for persons with disability. Beena Pallical critiqued the persistent caste-based discrimination and systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups in accessing justice, highlighting the judiciary’s limited but essential role as a last resort. Dr. Aqsa Shaikh spoke about the important contributions of grassroots movements in securing transgender rights, noting that community members’ relentless efforts often compensate for the judiciary’s inaccessibility and limited proactive stance.
The discussion explored the judiciary’s effectiveness in addressing systemic discrimination and the importance of grassroots activism in complementing judicial interventions. The Panel discussion also shed light on the need for robust implementation mechanisms to ensure that court decisions translate into tangible benefits for marginalized groups.
The evening concluded with Disha Chaudhari (Senior Research Associate, CLPR), delivering the vote of thanks and expressing gratitude to the German Embassy for their support, the panelists for their invaluable insights, and the attendees for their participation. She also extended special thanks to the Indian Sign Language interpreters, the event’s photography team, and the CLPR staff in both Delhi and Bangalore for their dedicated contributions to the project’s success.
The launch of the “Equality Now” series marks a significant milestone in CLPR’s mission to make the Constitution work for everyone. By documenting and contextualizing key legal decisions, these books serve as a vital tool for advocacy and policy reform, empowering marginalized communities and their allies to uphold the principles of equality and justice. The books are available in soft copy and screen-reader-friendly formats on CLPR’s website.