Constitution Helped India's Transformation As A Mature &Vibrant Democracy : CJI Sanjiv Khanna

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna said that it was the Constitution which helped the transformation of India as a mature and vibrant democracy, which is today a self-assured nation and a geo-political leader.

"India since independence has had a transformative journey from a nation - suffering the aftermath horrors of the partition, widespread illiteracy, poverty and hunger, lack of a robust system of democratic checks and balances resulting in self doubt- has emerged today as a mature and vibrant democracy, a self-assured nation which is a geopolitical leader. But at the back of it is the Constitution of India, which has helped its transformation," he said.

Speaking at the Constitution Day celebration organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association, CJI Khanna said that the Constitution was a way of life, which has to be lived up to.

In his address, CJI Khanna emphasised the role played by the bar in making the judiciary a robust institution. "We often refer to the judiciary as the persons in the robes, that is the judges. But the judiciary equally represents the Bar. I cannot visualise a judiciary where the members of the bar are not part and parcel of it. You are as much a part of the judicial as the judges," he said.

CJI Khanna said that lawyers are the first persons whom the citizens approach with their legal grievances and act as their spokespersons before the Courts. The advocates help the judges to adjudicate cases as per the legal principles. 

"Judges shine in the reflected glory of advocates. Better the bar, better the judges," the CJI said.

CJI said that the landmark judgments delivered by the Supreme Court would not have been possible without the assistance of the advocates.

"The Indian Supreme Court has had a strong legacy. We have had decisions ranging from environmental laws, privacy laws, fundamental rights, the Basic Structure Doctrine. Many of these decisions would not have been possible without the contributions and efforts of the members of the Bar," CJI said.

Attorney General for India R Venkataramani, SCBA President Kapil Sibal etc also spoke at the event.

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