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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MARCH 27, 2026 | The Indian Eye 24

Fort Bend Judges Highlight Role

of Courts in Strengthening Democracy

at Community Forum

OUR BUREAU
Fort Bend County, TX
he importance of an indepen-
dent judiciary and an informed
Tpublic took center stage at a
community forum hosted by the In-
dian American Public Affairs Coun-
cil (IAPAC), where two Fort Bend
County district judges spoke candidly
about the courts’ role in safeguarding
democracy.
The event, part of IAPAC’s
Conversations Over Coffee series,
featured Judge Monica Rawlins of
the 328th District Court and Judge
Surendran Pattel of the 240th Judi-
cial District Court. The discussion
was moderated by Gordon Quan, a
veteran attorney, former Houston Judges Surendran Pattel and Monica Rawlins with community members at IAPAC’s Conversations Over Coffee forum.
City Council member, and board-cer-
tified lawyer with nearly five decades
of legal experience. The program concluded with a
Addressing a gathering of com- question-and-answer session, during
munity members, the judges dis- which attendees asked about court
cussed judicial independence, civic procedures, jury trials, and how ju-
engagement, and the day-to-day dicial independence contributes to
workings of the court system, em- public confidence in the legal system.
phasizing the need for public trust in “By bringing judges out of the
democratic institutions. courtroom and into the community,
“One of IAPAC’s core missions IAPAC created a rare opportunity
is to strengthen civic awareness and for residents to better understand
engagement within our community,” how our judicial system addresses
said Naveen Kochoth, president of real issues,” said Madan Luthra, a
IAPAC. “Programs like Conversa- Houston community leader. “The
tions Over Coffee allow residents to thoughtful dialogue between the
engage directly with public officials panel and the audience made it a
and better understand the institu- truly meaningful experience.”
tions that sustain our democracy.” The event opened with wel-
Judge Rawlins, who spent more From left: Gordon Quan, Judge Surendran Pattel, and Judge Monica Rawlins at IAPAC’s coming remarks from Dr. Rajasree
than two decades practicing family Conversations Over Coffee forum. Nambron, an IAPAC board member,
law before taking the bench in 2023, and concluded with a vote of thanks
spoke about the responsibility judges “A judge must set aside personal members and the judges,” Gir said. by Dr. Parvin Shaikh, also a board
carry when applying the law. opinions and relationships and focus “It helped demystify the courts and member. Organizers expressed ap-
“When discretion is applied, it’s only on the law,” Pattel said. “Our gave people a clearer understanding preciation to First Cup Coffee Com-
important that judges understand responsibility is to apply the law of how our democratic institutions pany for hosting the gathering.
the pulse of the community and ap- fairly and impartially so that every function.” The Indian American Public
proach cases with both knowledge of person who comes before the court Quan noted that forums like this Affairs Council (IAPAC) is a non-
the law and compassion,” Rawlins receives justice.” play a vital role in strengthening pub- partisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organi-
said. The informal setting of the dis- lic understanding of the judiciary. zation dedicated to promoting civic
Judge Pattel reflected on his cussion encouraged open dialogue, “Our courts are essential to main- engagement, leadership, and public
journey from practicing law in India according to Dr. Roopa Gir, a found- taining the balance of power in our service. Through initiatives such as
to serving as a district judge in Texas, ing member and past president of democracy,” he said. “Conversations Conversations Over Coffee, IAPAC
underscoring the principle of impar- IAPAC. like this help the public better under- brings together community members
tiality as the foundation of the justice “The setting allowed for a gen- stand how the judiciary works and and public officials to encourage in-
system. uine exchange between community why judicial independence matters.” formed civic participation.

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