The fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural law that all persons,

irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and
without prejudice. See also civil rights.

Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the
principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes
the dignity of every human being.
Social justice is based on the concepts of human rights and equality and involves a greater degree of
economic egalitarianism through progressive taxation, income redistribution, or even property
redistribution. These policies aim to achieve what developmental economists refer to as more
equality of opportunity than may currently exist in some societies, and to manufacture equality of
outcome in cases where incidental inequalities appear in a procedurally just system. The
Constitution of the International Labour Organization affirms that "universal and lasting peace can
be established only if it is based upon social justice." Furthermore, the Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action treats social justice as a purpose of the human rights education.
The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by the Jesuit Luigi Taparelli in 1840
based on the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas and given further exposure in 1848 by Antonio
Rosmini-Serbati. The word has taken on a very controverted and variable meaning, depending on
who is using it. The idea was elaborated by the moral theologian John A. Ryan, who initiated the
concept of a living wage. Father Coughlin also used the term in his publications in the 1930s and the
1940s. It is a part of Catholic social teaching, the Protestants' Social Gospel, and is one of the Four
Pillars of the Green Party upheld by green parties worldwide. Social justice as a secular concept,
distinct from religious teachings, emerged mainly in the late twentieth century, influenced primarily
by philosopher John Rawls. Some tenets of social justice have been adopted by those on the left of
the political spectrum.
The term "social justice" implies several sound and eminently desirable concepts enunciated for the good of
society in general, and of course it covers fair play for every section, especially the weaker groups in the
population.
This seems unexceptionable and no one, however prejudiced or narrow minded, would object to the
promotion of this ideal. And yet the actions of countless people in this country, day after day, believe their
words.
The reckless flouting of the concept of social justice, and the denial of equal opportunities in life which this
postulates, all reflect a tendency that is anti-national and marks totally unfair and unjustified behavior.
In this defiance of the basic laws of human justice, the educated intelligent people are as guilty as their
ignorant, unlettered compatriots in the countryside.
We may start with certain provisions of the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the land. The
preamble itself says: "We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign,
socialist and democratic Republic and to secure to all its citizensJustice, social, economic and political...."
Clearly, social justice in all its forms and to all citizens was regarded as fundamental to the set-up which our
founding fathers prescribed for the country; it is mentioned on top of the other equally sound concepts, and
yet this very concept is being violated by countless people with amazing impunity, without fear.
In fact, many would say that it is absurd to talk of social justice in this country, because almost all the
traditional and prevalent systems are loaded against social and economic justice. The Preamble provides for
"equality of status and of opportunity...." In reality, neither equality of status nor of opportunity is assured.
There are distinct classes in society which stick to their privileges and refuse to share their riches and assets
with others, even while crores of people live in misery and perpetually groan under the burden of unfair
practices, unjust policies and gross inequalities.
The State, according to Article 15(1) of the Constitution, "shall not discriminate against any citizen on
grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, and place of birth or any of them." The State, officially, indeed
does not differentiate between man and man on any of these grounds, but at the same time the government
and the administrative machinery have proved incapable of enforcing this provision.
How else are we to explain the countless cases of social and economic injustice, the increasing inequalities
in most spheres of human activity and the endless discrimination against the weaker sections of society,
especially Harijans and members of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes? The harassment and the cruelties
inflicted on them by landlords in the villages are common knowledge.
The lands granted to them have in many cases been grabbed by greedy people; and the equal rights
guaranteed to them under the laws of the land are denied to them by selfish people.
The pity is that the law and order machinery (the police) generally favors the richer classes and other
oppressors. No one actively takes up the case of the down-trodden people, despite the high-sounding laws
of the land and the impressive proclamations issued by the President of India and his ministers.
The reservations in government services, assured to the weaker sections of society, have not benefited the
really needy people, because there is virtually no end to impostors who wangle documents, certificates, the
facilities and grants given by the government.
The Benami transactions in land, the deceptions and the endless frauds in allotment of surplus land,
houses, plots, etc., all amount to denial of economic justice to lakhs of people urgently in need of relief. The
government passes laws for promoting social justice in various fields, but these are not strictly enforced;
thus the government may also be held guilty. It bows to various pressures.
Chapter III of the Constitution, entitled "Fundamental Rights", enumerates a series of rights which all
Indian citizens are supposed to enjoy, and yet the number of people who are able to enjoy these rights in
practice is much less than those who are denied their exercise. Their life continues to be one long, tragic
and heart-breaking story of deprivation and sufferings through official and public apathy.
Their colossal poverty is a permanent handicap which prevents them from seeking redress from the courts,
for grave wrongs done to them month after month by men in privileged positions, and also those who are
protected by the men in power; ministers and legislators, in effect their patrons. In other words, they are all
partners in the guilt and deserve to be hauled up for violating the Constitution and many other social
reform laws passed by the Parliament.
Article 23 of the Constitution specifically prohibits traffic in human beings, "begar" and other similar forms
of forced labour, and any contravention of this provision, it is stated, shall be an offence punishable in ac-
cordance with law. But how many people guilty of such defiance have beer, caught and punished? Economic
exploitation of labour continues with a vengeanceby capitalists, unscrupulous employers, landlords and
others, including senior government officials sand yet no one bothers. There is mere talk and promise, but
no concrete action to redress injustices.
Corruption itself is a form of exploitation, because people holding key positions extort money in the shape
of bribes, gifts and services, even for rendering simple services which are their duty. This process makes
total nonsense of "equality of opportunity" guaranteed under the Constitution. Only those who have money
can give bribes and grease the palms of greedy people.
The rest have to suffer through the bureaucratic ways, especially red tape, which in itself involves injustices
to the countless people whose petitions or applications are kept pending for months, sometimes years. And
yet, does anyone in this country suffer for causing harassment and frustration to these people through red
tape?
Wherever we may go, and whichever sphere we might study, we shall come across numerous cases where
justice has been continuously denied to innocent citizens. Are all those who cause such denial not morally
and legal guilty, and are they not punishable under the law? And yet, even the idea of hauling up highly
placed offenders does not occur to the powers that be. The hapless citizen, of course, suffers in silence. The
number of people in India who are suffering in silence must be legion. Almost the entire nation is suffering
in silence.
There is no discipline, and there are hardly any morals. The absences of these vital traits of character signify
the absence of social and economic justice. The argument that the police do not have their heart in the job,
because of the relatively low salaries they are paid and the fact that their own senior officials do not assert
themselves is hardly convincing. There is no sign of justice or fair play in any sphere of activity. It is
injustice and corruption on all over.
Justice is becoming scarcer with every passing year. The coming years hold little promise of restoring social
injustice in the country.