Justice B. Sudharshan Reddy, Former Justice, Supreme Court of India expressed dissatisfaction over the state of affairs in the country and said that the institutions that are supposed to protect democracy are being used as a weapon for vendetta. People are voicing concerns on the atrocities committed by political parties and politicians during the elections.

He expressed anguish that crime has increased in the country and the way the courts are dealing with atrocities against women is sad, religious and caste conflicts are on the rise in the country and that this is not a good sign for democracy. He was delivering Prof. G. Ram Reddy Memorial lecture on “Withering secularism” on Monday. He explained that education should be available equally and freely to all, but corporate educational institutions are commercializing education due to which the poor and weaker sections of the society are not getting quality free education.

Prof. Ghanta Chakrapani, Vice-Chancellor, BRAOU, presiding over the function said that the father of distance education Prof.G. Ram Reddy's vision is far-sighted and his sincerity is compatible with the spread of higher education. The Constitution has comprehensive provisions on how the people, rulers and the judiciary should act in the country, and that secularism, democracy and the Constitution are in danger. He expressed concern that in the current situation in the country, people do not have the opportunity to act on their own and there is a risk of attacks if they resist.

Prof.G.Haragopal, Secretary, Prof G.Ram Reddy Memorial Trust said the Trust is organizing commemorative lectures to pass on the services of Prof. G. Ram Reddy for the spread of distance education to the future generations. He said that Prof. G. Ram Reddy has achieved such popularity that he cannot be left out of the history of higher education in India. The judicial system in the country is in crisis. It is sad, it is written in the Constitution that there should be a fair and equal democracy, but unfortunately this does not seem to be the situation today. Dr. L.Vijaya Krishna Reddy, Registrar of the University outlined the importance of the program and introduced the Chief Guest to the audiences.

The lecture was attended by Prof. Ram Reddy's wife, Smt. Prameela Ram Reddy and other family members, Former Vice-Chancellors of the University Prof.V.S. Prasad; Prof.K.Seetharama Rao; former faculty of the University Prof. C. Venkataiah, Prof. S. V Rajasekhar Reddy; Prof.D.Narasimha Reddy, K. Srinivas, Former editors of Andhra Jyothi; Prof. Jayadheer Tirumala Rao and Prof.G.Ram Reddy Trust Members, Directors, Heads of Branches, Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff members of the University also participated.