President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday stated that for the sake of the nation and its citizens, the legislative, executive, and judicial branch must have "one thinking." She proposed aiding impoverished individuals who have been imprisoned for years for minor offences in her valedictory speech at the Constitution Day celebrations hosted by the Supreme Court, news agency PTI reported.
Addressing the Constitution Day celebrations, President Murmu said: "It is said that jails are getting overcrowded and there is a need to set up more jails. Are we moving towards development? What is the need to set up more jails? We need to reduce their numbers."
Murmu stated that something must be done to help the impoverished inmates.
"You need to do something for these people. Who are these people in jail? They do not know the fundamental rights, preamble or the fundamental duties," the president was quoted by PTI in its report.
The event was also attended by Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister of Law and Justice, and D Y Chandrachud, the Chief Justice of India.
"The three wings of the government -- legislature, executive and judiciary -- there has to be one thinking somewhere for the country and its people," she said.
"Checks and balance need to be there, but somewhere we need to work together," she said. "Our job is to think about people (poor undertrials languishing in jails). We all have to think and come out with some way ... I am leaving it all on you," President Murmu said.
She claims that these people are in jail for slapping someone or other minor offences, and that they have been slapped with legal provisions, even though some of these rules do not apply in such instances.
"I come from a very small village. Where I was born, people there considered three people as god -- teachers, doctors and lawyers," the president said.
People are even prepared to give away all of their money and property to physicians and attorneys in order to assist them overcome their difficulties, according to her.
President Murmu stated that many do not get their family members released from jail because they believe their homes and belongings would have to be auctioned (in the process).
On the other hand, she stated, there are some people who do many things, including murder, but they are free to do so.
"It (cases of people landing up in prison after doing petty crimes) is a burden on the government... I leave this to you (referring to judges and the law minister)," the president added.
(With PTI Inputs)