Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Thursday made reference to the present situation in Bangladesh and the period of Emergency in India, to emphasise the importance of dwelling on the stories of the past to remember how precious freedom and liberty are.
Speaking during the Independence Day celebrations at the Supreme Court, the CJI said that in 1950, we chose the uncertainty of freedom, and what is happening today, say in Bangladesh, is a clear reminder of how precious liberty is for us.
“Most young lawyers are the post-independence generation. I myself am of the post-independence generation, but many are also of the post-emergency generation. Therefore, it’s very easy to take freedom for granted, it’s simple to take liberty for granted, but it is important that we dwell on the stories of the past to remind us how precious liberty is, and what an important role we as judges and lawyers play in the preservation of liberty”, CJI Chandrachud added.
According to the CJI, when India achieved her independence in 1947, it marked a tectonic shift in global power.
“The sun began to set in the era of the empire. But our founding parents started out with a single-minded focus on uplifting our citizens. They were guided by the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi, to wipe every tear from every eye– so long as there is suffering in this country. They knew that this was not a task which could be achieved in just one lifetime. But they resolved not to rest till they achieved it. The first task of independent India was and therefore, for the Constituent Assembly to devise a Constitution that would serve the goals of a social revolution and of, national renaissance”, he said.
CJI Chandrachud further added “Our Constitution ushered in a reign of deliberative democracy inspired by the ideals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. And to meet these aims, the Constitution weaved an intricate network of democratic institutions. It established a representative, responsive and responsible government premised on a Parliamentary democracy and a universal adult franchise.
He pointed out that the modern judiciary requires an accessible and inclusive infrastructure, the ease of lawyers and courting the Court not only allows them to assist it with ease and efficiency but also for them to feel a sense of responsibility towards the institution of the judiciary as its custodian.
Talking about the many infrastructural initiatives taken by the top court in the last six months, CJI said “The Supreme Court has extended fibre optics internet to the lawyers’ block, created consultation rooms in the east wing of the main building, constructed cubicles for lawyers who are wait-listed for chamber allotments, set up a multi-facilitation centre and renovated the office of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
According to CJI Chandrachud, the establishing of a women only space inside the Supreme Court premises will enhance the ability of woman lawyers to assist the court and seek guidance from their seniors.
A new accessibility help desk has also been set up to make our court truly a ‘Court for All’. The help desk would enhance the accessibility of persons with disability, women and senior citizens when approaching the Supreme Court, the CJI said.
CJI DY Chandrachud also said that the Supreme Court was actively building bigger creches for childcare in block E of the Additional Building, which would alleviate the problems that many parents, especially women, have to face while navigating their professional life with parenthood.
“The Court will see the construction of the advocates’ wellness centre, upgradation of existing facilities and the air conditioning of the corridors lining Court Rooms 1 to 5 as well as block D of the Administrative building complex”, he added.