Bikaner’s long-standing demand for a High Court bench remained unfulfilled on Saturday, despite high expectations. Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai visited the city to attend a seminar marking 75 years of the Constitution and honouring the contributions of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Many lawyers had hoped he would announce a bench of the Rajasthan High Court in Bikaner, but no such declaration was made.

Lawyers Raised Slogans
As soon as the CJI concluded his address, local lawyers raised slogans demanding a High Court bench in Bikaner. Responding to them, CJI Gavai clarified that such decisions fall within the jurisdiction of the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court. He informed the gathering that the current Chief Justice of Rajasthan is due to retire next month, and he would convey this demand to the incoming Chief Justice. Citing an example, he recalled that the decision to set up a bench in Kolhapur had been taken through discussions between the then Chief Justice and the State Government, and his role was limited to inaugurating it.

Tribute to Amrita Devi and Justice Bishnoi
During his speech, CJI Gavai remembered Amrita Devi, who sacrificed her life for the protection of the environment, calling her contribution eternally inspiring. He also highlighted the achievement of Justice Vijay Bishnoi, the first Supreme Court judge from the Bishnoi community—the same community to which Amrita Devi belonged.

Strength of the Constitution
Emphasising the power of the Constitution, the CJI compared political instability in Nepal to India’s democratic stability. “Despite many crises in the past 75 years, India has remained united. This is the strength of our Constitution and the rights given to us by Dr. Ambedkar,” he said.

Right to Equality
He further noted that the greatest strength of the Constitution is the right to equality. Referring to Bikaner MLA Siddi Kumari, he pointed out that her vote carries the same value as that of a worker in her household. “This is the true beauty of our democracy,” he said.

Why Bikaner Needs a Bench
The demand for a High Court bench in Bikaner has persisted for years, as litigants from Bikaner, Hanumangarh, Ganganagar, and Churu face the hardship of long travel to Jodhpur, higher expenses, and delays in justice due to case backlogs. In the last one and a half years, this is the second time a CJI has visited Bikaner. Earlier, on March 9, 2024, then CJI DY Chandrachud also visited, when lawyers had voiced the same demand. Justice Vijay Bishnoi, in his address this time, recalled his personal connection with Bikaner, where his father practiced law and where he himself spent his childhood.

Union Law Minister’s Remarks
Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal reminded the audience that Bikaner contributed to the making of the Constitution. He mentioned that Jaswant Singh Daudsar from Bikaner was a member of the Constituent Assembly and played a role in shaping India’s democratic future.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Supreme Court
Speaking to the media, CJI Gavai said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used in the Supreme Court to translate judgments into regional languages, ensuring wider accessibility for the public. When asked about pending cases, he avoided a direct response, noting recent legislative changes on the issue.

Constitution—A Unifying Force
Marking 75 years of the Constitution, the CJI underlined Dr. Ambedkar’s pivotal role in drafting it, especially in establishing the principle of “one person, one vote, one value.” He said Ambedkar championed both social and economic equality. “The Constitution holds India together in times of war and peace,” Gavai said, adding that in just 75 years the country has progressed remarkably. Today, people from marginalized groups and women occupy the highest offices of the land, while facilities such as roads, electricity, water, and education have reached every corner of the nation.

Lighter Moments
During his visit, CJI Gavai tasted camel milk sweets at a stall set up by NRCC and learned about other camel milk products. At another stall, he was briefed about “Panch Gaurav,” a district initiative. He was amused when Bikaner resident Girdhar Vyas displayed his 14-foot-long moustache during the welcome ceremony. The CJI also inspected the Mega Legal Services Camp-2025 organized by the District Legal Services Authority at Maharaja Ganga Singh University campus.