I Take Pride In Saying India Has A Chief Justice Who Comes From Marginalised Section : CJI BR Gavai

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai credited Dr B.R. Ambedkar for laying the visionary foundation that made it possible for individuals from marginalised communities to rise to high constitutional offices. He took pride in saying that India now has a Chief Justice who rose from a marginalised section.

"It is solely due to the visionary framework laid down by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar that individuals like me, who come from humble beginnings, having studied in a municipal school and grown up in a family that faced numerous challenges, are able to aspire to, and eventually attain, the highest positions in the country," CJI Gavai said.

"Dr. Ambedkar's vision of a just and inclusive society, as enshrined in our Constitution, opened the doors for individuals from marginalized communities to overcome the social and economic barriers that once kept them away from entering the mainstream of life," he added.

He was speaking at the Grey's Inn, London, on the topic "The Living Document 75 Years of the Constitution of India and the Enduring Relevance of Dr Ambedkar”.

Matter of pride that India now has constitiutional heads from marginalised backgrounds

CJI Gavai said it was a matter of pride that in 75 years, India had two women Presidents, with the current President hailing from one of the most marginalised tribal communities.

"We have had a Prime Minister of India who was a lady, we have had a Chief Justice of India who is a Dalit, we have had two speakers of Lok Sabha who belong to Dalit community. And when the Constitution of India has completed 75 years, it is a matter of great coincidence that India has a President who is a woman and belongs to tribal class. We have a Prime Minister who comes from backward classes and who takes pride in saying it is only because of Indian Constitution that he could adorn the position of Prime Minister. And I take pride in saying that India has a Chief Justice who comes from marginalised section and humble background, and arose to the post of Chief Justice of India."

"We have three Constitutional heads belonging to the marginalized section, and here incidentally we have a law minister who also belongs to marginalised section," he added.

Acknowledging Dr.Ambedkar's deep influence in his life, CJI Gavai said that from a young age, he used to be inspired by the stories of Dr.Ambedkar's courage, intellect and relentless pursuit of equality.

In his address, CJI Gavai noted that in the last 75 years of the Indian Constitution, the Executive, the Parliament, and the judiciary have played a pivotal role in expanding and furthering the constitutional aim of social and economic justice. Enactments like the Bonded Labour Abolition Act,the Agricultural Ceiling Act, the Tenancy Act and the expansive interpretation given by the Supreme Court to Article 21 ensured that the marginalised sections are protected from exploitation.

Also, both Parliament and the judiciary have significantly expanded the scope of affirmative action provisions in the Constitution. Likewise, several enactments and progressive judgments furthered Dr.Ambedkar's vision of gender equality as well. The enactment of various social welfare legislations stands as a testament to Dr. Ambedkar's vision of equality of opportunity.

CJI ended his talk with an appeal to  make every attempt to achieve constitutional goal of social and economic justice and try to realise the dream of our constitution makers, including Dr Ambedkar.

The full text of the lecture can be read here.