Courts show the way
THE country’s judiciary and human rights institutions have rung an urgent alarm on the growing threat of heatwaves — marking a rare and significant convergence of concern. In Beat The Heatwave And Climatic Change vs Union of India, the Supreme Court, on April 17, recognised that extreme temperatures are no longer seasonal inconveniences, but life-threatening events. Calling for immediate action, it directed states to establish cooling spaces, issue health advisories and implement relief mechanisms for the most vulnerable populations. This intervention is both timely and necessary. Already, parts of the country are reeling under unrelenting heat, with daily wage workers, children, the elderly and the homeless most at risk. The SC call, rooted in Article 21 of the Constitution — the right to life — brings much-needed legal weight to climate resilience and public health.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday reinforced this call to action, writing to 11 states, urging pre-emptive measures to prevent avoidable deaths. By framing heatwaves as a human rights issue, the NHRC has expanded the climate conversation beyond weather forecasts and infrastructure into the realm of dignity and justice. It rightly asserts that ignoring the suffering of the poor during such disasters amounts to systemic neglect. Adding to this chorus is the Rajasthan High Court, which took suo motu cognisance of the crisis. It rebuked the state government, stating that “citizens cannot be treated as cattle.” Its sharp words highlight the callousness with which heat-related deaths are often brushed aside and reinforce the need for accountability.
These directives together form a moral and constitutional indictment of administrative indifference. They also create a framework for long-term planning — where climate adaptation must be tied to governance reform, health equity and basic infrastructure. Courts have done their part. The question now is: Will governments finally act?
