New Delhi, June 2025 

In a powerful address that reflected on the deeper spirit of the Indian Constitution, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud’s successor, CJI BR Gavai, emphasized that the Constitution is not merely a rulebook for governance but a revolutionary document that embodies the aspirations of the oppressed and marginalized.

 

Delivering his remarks during a high-profile event hosted at the National Law University, Delhi, the Chief Justice stated that the Constitution represents more than administrative order—it is a transformative charter that seeks to reconstruct Indian society on the foundations of justice, equality, and liberty. “It is a call to action—a tool of social revolution that dismantled centuries-old inequities,” he asserted.

 

 

Highlighting the transformative goals of the Preamble, CJI Gavai underscored that the Constitution envisions the realization of a just society, where fraternity, dignity, and equality are not just ideals but lived experiences. He pointed out that the framers of the Constitution were deeply conscious of India’s complex social fabric, and therefore embedded in it not just legal order but moral and philosophical commitments to uplift the marginalized—Dalits, women, minorities, and the working class.

 

“The Constitution is not frozen in time,” CJI Gavai remarked, “but a living document that evolves through interpretation, activism, and public engagement.”

 

 

Drawing parallels with recent judicial rulings, the Chief Justice reiterated that constitutional morality must prevail over majoritarian impulses, especially when they conflict with individual rights. He stated that courts have the solemn responsibility to act as guardians of constitutional promises, even when those choices are unpopular.

 

 

The event also focused on the need to educate the youth about constitutional values, not merely as a subject, but as a civic ethos. CJI Gavai encouraged institutions to promote constitutional literacy at all levels, “for only then can citizens hold power to account and ensure the Constitution thrives outside the courtroom too.”

 

 

CJI Gavai concluded with a message to young lawyers and students: “The law is not just a profession—it’s a commitment to justice. We must use the Constitution as a compass to navigate through the challenges of inequality, discrimination, and exclusion.”

 

 

The speech came in the backdrop of an increasing national conversation around constitutional values, secularism, and judicial independence, especially in light of recent constitutional bench decisions on marriage equality, freedom of speech, and electoral transparency. Though not directly connected to a specific case, the CJI’s remarks echo the judicial philosophy seen in landmark rulings such as:

• Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) – Decriminalization of homosexuality

• Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (2018) – Sabarimala verdict

• Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) – Right to privacy as a fundamental right