Our democracy rooted in robust Constitution: CJI B R Gavai

PRAYAGRAJ: Cautioning against political instability in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Chief Justice of India Justice B R Gavai said here on Saturday that India's robust democracy rested firmly on the foundation of its Constitution.

He was speaking at a national seminar on ‘Constitution and Constitutionalism: The Philosophy of Dr BR Ambedkar' at Allahabad University. Justice Gavai said unlike many nations with separate Constitutions for provinces and Centre, India operates under a single Constitution, ensuring coherence and equality. "Our judiciary begins at the district level and reaches up to the Supreme Court, ensuring justice for all," he said. Referring to the collegium system, CJI defended it as a balanced mechanism involving inputs from both Centre and states, maintaining judicial independence while upholding Constitutional propriety.

Praising Dr BR Ambedkar's foresight, he said the concept of single citizenship and three-tier structure of legislature, executive and judiciary have been instrumental in safeguarding democracy. Calling Article 32 the "soul of the Constitution," without which, he asserted, the Constitution would be lifeless. Justice Gavai also stressed the need for a balanced relationship between Union and states, terming it crucial for maintaining federal harmony.

On the idea of fundamental rights, the CJI said that the right to life includes access to food, clean air, water, and education. "Unity in diversity is India's essence; equality, fraternity, and compassion are the pillars of our progress," he said, adding that Ambedkar's social revolution enabled economic and social justice. "The Constitution is not merely in the pages of a book—it lives in the people of India," he remarked.

Supreme Court judge Justice Vikram Nath lauded Dr Ambedkar as true architect of modern India who rooted the Constitution in liberalism and social justice. He emphasised that no one was above the Constitution and praised the CJI's leadership as an inspiration for young jurists. Justice Arun Bhansali, Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, said Ambedkar's constitutional vision went beyond drafting a legal document—it was a moral pledge to build a nation of freedom, equality, and fraternity. In her presidential address, Vice-Chancellor Prof Sangita Srivastava described the visit of the CJI as a moment of pride for the university and reiterated that education was the cornerstone of national development.