Mr P.B. D’Sa (20 May 1941 – 24 September 2024)
By PUCL KARNATAKA
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr P.B. D’Sa due to his untimely demise. Mr D’Sa was the President of the PUCL- Karnataka and was at the time of his demise, the Vice President of the PUCL- National and a member of the National Council of the PUCL.
Mr D’Sa was an unflagging champion of human rights and in particular worked against very difficult odds to safeguard human rights in his district of Dakshina Kannada. He was at the forefront of initiating fact-findings in
various parts of Karnataka and he strongly opposed moral policing, custodial deaths, communal violence, and hate speeches in Dakshina Kannada.
Mr D’Sa embodied a commitment to the fundamental duty of cultivating a ‘scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry’ as can be seen in his wish that on his demise that there be no ‘religious rituals, no flowers and bouquets’ but donation to a social cause’. In the same spirit, it was his will that his body be donated for medical research. We stand united in grief with his family and friends at this difficult time.
As a dogged fighter for human rights, his absence will be felt deeply. The best tribute we can pay will be to rededicate ourselves to the cause of human rights and try to emulate Mr. D’Sa’s lifelong commitment to human rights.
Arvind Narrain, President, PUCL- K
Shujayathulla, General Secretary, PUCL-K