Be guided by constitutional values to rid society of inequalities: CJI DY Chandrachud to Maharashtra NLU graduates

Inculcate spirit of constitutionalism in society to get rid of deep rooted inequalities, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud told students and young lawyers at an event in Nagpur on Saturday..The CJI said that deep inequalities exist in the Indian society even today as it did more than 70 years ago when the Constitution was drafted. “The Constitution has made tremendous strides towards a more just and democratic society, but much work remains to be accomplished before we can rest. The deep inequality which fractured our society, at the time of Independence, persists even today. The best and surest way to make this inequality a distant dream of the past is to inculcate the spirit of constitutionalism in our society,” the CJI advised..The CJI was speaking at the first convocation ceremony of the Maharashtra National Law University at Nagpur. He commenced his speech by encouraging the graduating students to be guided by constitutional values in their professional life to ensure that they do not fail. .The CJI in his speech elaborated on the following:.Ensure, that fellow citizens are ‘citizens in substance’ in true sense and not merely on paper. “This will be the true fulfilment of promise made in the Preamble, which may be a short, but a weighty part of constitution”, CJI said. .Create an environment in which justice is dispensed to every citizen. “In your lives as lawyers, do not consider yourself as persons who dole out charity, but persons who are responsible for creating environment in which justice can be dispensed to every citizen,” the CJI said. .Be courageous"In your dual roles as lawyers and citizens, you will be confronted with situations, where you must choose between saying or doing nothing, and saying or doing something which, however small, will perhaps realign law and society with justice. Now, I must warn you that saying or not doing nothing is probably the safer, less riskier option. But choosing the more difficult option, which is to make a difference, which is to attempt to realign law and society with justice is more courageous. Even the very attempt to make the world a better place, makes it a better place," he said. .Be ahead of the curveOn his judgment in the case of Navtej Singh Johar through which homosexuality was decriminalised, the CJI stated that individuals must try to be ahead of the curve to nurture a constitutional culture.“The unfortunate nature of law is that it is lethargic filled with inertia and you will find a million excuses when you succeed as lawyers and go on to become judges to be inert individuals. Because inertia is a privilege of the privileged. When it comes to constitutional values and nurturing a constitutional culture, be ahead of the curve and lead by your own example”, he said concluding his speech.