Key Message by CJI B.R. Gavai
- The Indian Constitution is a transformative, social document that boldly recognises structural injustices like caste, poverty, and exclusion.
- It does not assume equality exists, but intervenes to restructure power and restore dignity.
- Described the Constitution as a “quiet revolution etched in ink” — not just law, but lifeline for the oppressed.
Relevance : GS 2(Judiciary )
Personal Testimony & Symbolism
- CJI Gavai, Chief Justice of India, highlighted his journey from a municipal school to the apex judicial office — made possible by constitutional safeguards.
- Emphasised that the Constitution enabled representation of those historically silenced and excluded.
- “To be seen in the Constitution is to be seen by the nation… to be included in its text is to be included in its future.”
Constitution as an Instrument of Social Justice
- Not a neutral or passive document, but one that recalibrates power relations in society.
- Aims to correct centuries of exclusion with recognition, dignity, and protection for vulnerable groups.
- Affirmative action and fundamental rights are framed not as charity, but as instruments of reparation and rightful inclusion.
Framing Process: Role of the Marginalised
- The CJI reminded that vulnerable groups were not just beneficiaries but active participants in drafting the Constitution.
- Constitution-making was a participatory and democratic act, not elite imposition.
Implications for Governance and Judiciary
- Constitutional interpretation should be sensitive to lived realities of marginalised groups.
- Policy and legal frameworks must actively reflect the constitutional promise of inclusion and justice.
- Reinforces the need for empathy-driven governance, not technocratic neutrality.
