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Human Rights And Jainism
Thomas Paine, in his book The Rights of Man (1791-92) has written about human rights. He was declared an outlaw for his Wicked seditious writing, and was prosecuted. Thereafter, he never went back to his country and had to take asylum elsewhere. This was the fate that befell on one who championed for the cause of human rights. The situation has not changed much even today, 200 years after Thomas Paine and those who fight for human rights are subjected even today to unbearable indignities.
The term 'human rights' is very much in vogue today and has become a part of the lexicon of national politics and international diplomacy. Countries all over the world talk of protecting human rights and leaders of all shades and colour never forget to mention them every now and then.
It has been a hot topic of discussion in many a convention. Today human rights are equated with a decent life style. All the same, the term "Human Rights" continues to arouse confusion and controversy. More often than not it is only talked about, but not practised. Despite strong international effort, the movement for human rights has not been a great success in many parts of the world. And yet, it has now become a movement for human dignity and fight for justice. Religions do talk of human rights, but very often ironically though, they are violated and trampled upon again in the name of religion. Hence the onus for protecting and promoting them actually rests on religions. They can pave the way for unity, harmony and social justice in the world. There is today a wide gap between precepts and practices, between promise and performance. Many countries accept the importance of human rights in principle but are shy while actually promoting or protecting them. There is,
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