CJI Gavai and Om Birla seen on one stage Important thing said on human dignity and speedy justice

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) B. R. Gavai on Wednesday said that human dignity is the soul of the Indian Constitution and it has been recognized as a fundamental right. He said this in the 11th Dr. L. M. Singhvi Memorial Lecture, where Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was also present. On this occasion, the CJI expressed his views on the topic 'Human Dignity: Soul of the Constitution', while Birla in his address emphasized cooperation between the judiciary, executive and legislature for speedy justice.

Human dignity is the soul of the Constitution: CJI Gavai

CJI Gavai said that human dignity shapes the basic principles of the Constitution - liberty, equality, fraternity and justice. He said that the Supreme Court in many of its decisions in the 20th and 21st centuries not only recognized human dignity as a right, but also made it the basis for understanding all fundamental rights. He said, 'Human dignity is a principle that connects all rights. It ensures that the Constitution gives every citizen the right to live with dignity, freedom and opportunity.' He referred to the decisions of the Supreme Court in the context of prisoners, laborers, women and the disabled.

'The law should not only guarantee survival, but also...'
The CJI said that the court has always ensured that the law should not only guarantee survival, but also create conditions for living with self-respect and autonomy. He said, 'It is the responsibility of society and the government for the disabled to remove the obstacles in their way, so that they can live a life with equality and respect.' The CJI also said that by making human dignity the basis of constitutional interpretation, the Supreme Court has kept the Constitution a living document, which responds to changing challenges with time. The CJI praised the vision of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar and said that it is because of his Constitution that he is in the post of CJI today.

'Cooperation of all three organs is necessary for speedy justice'

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on this occasion, 'The judiciary, the executive and the legislature should work together to ensure speedy justice.' He stressed that today there is an urgent need for public dialogue between various stakeholders to maintain the supremacy of human dignity through 'timely justice'. Birla said that many obstacles in the legal and administrative systems are causing delay in justice. He said that citizens and thinkers need to consider the important question of ensuring speedy and fair justice for all.

Remembered the contribution of Dr. Singhvi

The CJI thanked OP Jindal University and senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who is the son of Dr. L.M. Singhvi, for this lecture. He appreciated the contribution of Dr. Singhvi, who played an important role in strengthening Indian justice and constitutional values. In this lecture, CJI Gavai and Om Birla unanimously described human dignity as the basic element of the Constitution. While the CJI emphasised the role of the judiciary and the importance of dignity in constitutional interpretation, Birla emphasised the need for cooperation of the three organs for speedy and fair justice. Both lauded the vision of the Constitution makers, especially Dr Ambedkar.