Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, Supreme Court judge and member of the Family Courts Committee, highlighted the need to ensure dignity and inclusion within family courts. Citing ancient texts, he stated, “Rig Veda says no one is superior and all must work for all,” while pointing out how this tradition was later distorted in texts like the Manusmriti.
The two-day Southern Zone Regional Conference on “Family: The Basis of Indian Society” concluded on Sunday at the Karnataka Judicial Academy. The event ended with a strong message India’s family court system must become more inclusive, dignified, and well-equipped to serve families in distress.
The final day of the conference saw two important sessions, both aimed at improving the way family courts function. The first session focused on parental custody and visitation rights, and the second addressed infrastructure and human resource needs in the family justice system.
The morning began with a session titled “Parental Custody of Children: Orders Regarding Visitation Rights and Custody Issues”. This session chaired by Justice G Jayachandran of the Madras High Court and co-chaired by Justice Kauser Edappagath of the Kerala High Court.
Other speakers included Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya from the Telangana High Court and senior advocate and mediator S Sushila from Bengaluru.
This session discussed the importance of fair custody arrangements and the emotional impact on children during separation or divorce. Speakers emphasised that custody decisions must focus on the best interests of the child.
The valedictory session was centered around the theme “Efficiency of Family Courts: Human Resources and Infrastructure”.
It featured multiple judges sharing ground realities and offering solutions.
The speakers included:
- Justice Ravi Nath Tilhari (Andhra Pradesh High Court)
- Justice Anu Sivaraman (Karnataka High Court)
- Justice CS Dias (Kerala High Court)
- Justice G Jayachandran (Madras High Court)
- Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya (Telangana High Court)
During her address, Justice Anu Sivaraman raised serious concerns about the current infrastructure of family courts in Karnataka.
She pointed out that,
“Only seven of Bengaluru’s 21 family courts are operational. A new court complex is expected within the next one or two years to accommodate the remaining courts.”
She also highlighted the staff shortage that affects the performance of these courts,
“Only 552 of the 991 sanctioned staff positions are filled, placing a heavy burden on existing personnel.”
To reduce stress on family court judges, she suggested a time-bound approach,
“Limiting the tenure of family court judges to two years could help improve work-life balance and performance.”
The conference ended with a powerful valedictory address by Supreme Court judge and Family Courts Committee member Justice Ujjal Bhuyan. He spoke about the importance of preserving human dignity, especially of women, in family matters.
He said, reminding all stakeholders that fairness must be at the heart of the justice system,
“There is a great deal of power imbalance within a family. Judges must remain mindful of that,”
Justice Bhuyan supported his views by referring to ancient Indian texts. He said,
“The Rig Veda says no one is superior and all must work for all but somewhere, that tradition was distorted, as seen in the Manusmriti, which claims that whatever is acquired by a wife belongs to the husband.”
He added that the responsibility of family court judges goes beyond legal rulings,
“The role of a family court judge goes beyond dispute resolution — it includes upholding the dignity of all individuals.”
Importantly, Justice Bhuyan acknowledged the evolving nature of families in modern society. He strongly supported equal treatment for all types of family units, stating,
“Non-traditional family structures, such as queer families, live-in partnerships, and single-parent households deserve equal recognition and rights.”
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The conference, attended by judges, mediators, and legal experts from across southern India, ended with a unified message family courts must be more inclusive, better staffed, and equipped with proper infrastructure to deal with today’s changing family dynamics.
The speakers urged the judiciary and the government to work together to create a system where every individual, regardless of gender or family background, is treated with respect and equality.
This event marks an important step in promoting sensitivity, inclusion, and justice in India’s family courts.