While delivering the vote of thanks, Justice Gavai said in the last 74 years, all the three wings of the State — the legislature, the executive & the judiciary — have worked towards achieving the goals of social, economic & political equality, & also adopted a collaborative approach to ensure that the Supreme Court works at its full strength.The conception of the Supreme Court symbolises “the balance of justice”, that is an institution that will act as a shield for citizens against the excesses of power, he said & underscored the need for diversity & representation of various sections of society in the judiciary.“We have been making active efforts to ensure this (diversity), & our efforts shall continue. Since the chief justices of high courts are present here, I would earnestly request them to keep this in mind while making recommendations of elevations for various high courts,” Justice Gavai said.
Justice Khanna said as opposed to earlier days of “larger” benches, currently, Supreme Court benches sit in smaller combinations of two & three judges & it ensures diverse representation within the judicial system.Today the court has a strength of 34 judges & pronounces more than 1,000 judgments. This court’s rich history is replete with landmark decisions, echoing the aspirations of our founders. As we look back, let our reflections be more than exercise in nostalgia. Let it be a pledge to fulfil our constitutional responsibilities now & in the foreseeable future,” he said.In his address, Attorney General R Venkataramani said the recent designation of 11 women lawyers as senior advocates by the Supreme Court was a “significant step” that showed a momentous transition into the world of equality.“On Republic Day, we saw the demonstration of the commitment of the nation to women empowerment. In a significant step, the Supreme Court, playing its own part, has designated a number of women lawyers as senior counsel. It is not merely symbolic. Steps such as this in the nation, in the legal profession & in the court show a momentous transition into the world of equality,” he said.“The 74 years of the Supreme Court is a rich treasure house of law & jurisprudence. The history of constitutional litigation in the court shows how it provided a window for ordinary citizens to occupy spaces held by the elite & well endowed,” Venkataramani said.Justice Gavai also shared the views of the Constitution’s chief architect, Dr B R Ambedkar, who, he said, had stated that Article 32 which deals with the power of judicial review of the Supreme Court was the “very soul” of the Constitution.
“The Preamble of the Indian Constitution reflects the ideals of justice, liberty, equality & fraternity, emphasising the commitment to securing justice for citizens. The Supreme Court, as the apex judicial authority, plays the central role in ensuring the realisation of these ideals,” he said.“Over the last 74 years, the Supreme Court has indeed acted as the heart & soul of the Constitution. Through its judgments, the court has safeguarded the rights of citizens on numerous occasions. Today’s event provides expression to the commitment which the judges have carried in the last 74 years,” he said.Justice Gavai said he was grateful to CJI Chandrachud for fulfilling the long-standing demand of installing a statue of Ambedkar on the premises of the Supreme Court & giving him the opportunity to play an important role in the project.“It is only because of Dr Ambedkar & the Constitution, as framed by him & his colleagues, a person like me, who began his schooling in a municipal school situated in a slum area, could reach this position,” he said.
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