Sinister trend of campaigning for judgments on social media: Law Minister RS Prasad at inauguration of International Judicial Conference

A two-day International Judicial Conference was flagged off this morning at the Supreme Court auditorium, at an inaugural event which saw the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Law Minister RS Prasad, Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, and other judges of the Supreme Court..Also present in the audience were judges from 23 different jurisdictions, Chief Justices and judges of the High Court, former judges of the Supreme Court, and Vice-Chancellors of National Law Universities..The welcome address at the event was rendered by Justice L Nageswara Rao, who said that the aim of the International Judicial Conference was “to facilitate cross fertilisation of ideas between judges of India and those from abroad.” Justice Rao observed that the conference provided an opportunity for judges across the world in engage in informal discussions with each other for mutual benefit..In his inaugural address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke extensively of India’s achievements, commenting on how India has challenged old beliefs and perceptions. He went on to speak on how the rule of law has been ingrained in Indian tradition. He said,."The Rule of Law has been a core civilizational value of Indian society since ages ... Law is the King of Kings, Law is supreme."PM Narendra Modi.As for the continuance of this tradition in India, the Prime Minster said,.“In the recent times, there have been some critical judicial judgments and decisions which have been the subject of global discussion. Before these judgments were delivered, several apprehensions were being expressed about the consequences. But look what happened! 1.3 billion Indians wholeheartedly accepted the judicial verdicts."PM Narendra Modi.Following Justice Rao’s address, Attorney General KK Venugopal focused on poverty vis-a-vis fundamental rights in his speech. He observed that poverty in India has drastically reduced over the years, when compared to the colonial era..“When we got freedom and the Constitution was adopted, 70% Indians were living under poverty. This has been reduced today to 21%. That, I think, is through the effort of the government", he said..He proceeded to observe how social justice lawyers and the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 32 continue to play a role in alleviating the suffering of the poor in India. He further commented that,."Wherever the State has failed to produce results, the Supreme Court has stepped in. There are a series of judgments that would bring tears to the eyes of people."AG KK Venugopal.Rationalising why the Supreme Court often intervenes in this manner, into realms that also touch upon policy, the AG pointed out that India being a welfare state and a developing country, has its own unique challenges and priorities..As he concluded his address, he expressed how that poverty will be eradicated from India in the coming years, with the efforts of the government and the Supreme Court..Justice NV Ramana informed the gathering about the topics that will be deliberated upon during the conference i.e.Role of judiciary in maintaining a gender just worldRole of judiciary against populismConstitution and its interpretationRole of judiciary in environmental protection and sustainable developmentRole of Judiciary in protecting privacy of citizens in the internet age.While speaking on the first theme concerning gender equality, Justice Ramana also emphasised,."Merely having lofty declarations in law would not satisfy the requirement to uplift women who face discrimination day in and day out. [There is] sufficient scope for the judiciary to ensure a gender just world. There cannot be any compromise in gender equality."Justice NV Ramana.Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad made critical note that,.“[there is a] sinister trend of late, developing globally, and also in our country, that some people start campaigning as to what kind of judgments they expect. [When] the judgment is not in accordance with that, then [they] unleash all the forces of criticism."Law Minister, RS Prasad.He, however, emphasised that it is not as if dissent is not allowed. He commented that “In a democracy we welcome dissent, we welcome populism too. We have a problem also, when populism infringes upon well settled Constitutional principles. Populism also becomes a problem when those who have been rejected in the popular mandate becomes the biggest flag bearers of populism.”.He further observed that, "What is challenging is, now populism is seeking to have greater accountability as to what kind of judgments there should be. I’m a great supporter of social media, of freedom. I know it is empowering, but this is a dangerous trend. Judges must be left completely independent to give judgment as to what they think is correct…".As he concluded his speech, the Law Minister remarked,.“What are we proud of? That we trust our democratic values. We trust our judiciary. And we trust the common instinct of ordinary Indians to select the leaders they want them to govern…"."... we have to have a balance: the rights and the duties; the identities and the obligation; and most importantly, speak your mind, be critical, ask questions, But it should be in a manner that the identity of India as a country continues to remain strong and resilient."Law Minister, RS Prasad.Among the notable observations made by CJI SA Bobde in his address was how fundamental duties are not accorded the significance they deserve. He said,.“A feature often neglected is a chapter on fundamental duties imposing on every citizen the duties to abide by the constitution, the whole of it and respect its ideals and institution. Mahatma Gandhi once said “the exercise of right depends on ones sense of duty." This follows from what he had written in Hindi Swaraj, where he argued that ‘real rights are a result of performance of duty’“CJI SA Bobde.He went on to express hope in the success of the conference, observing that,.“Conferences such as these in a sense celebrate this universality and seek a better expression through the challenges that the judiciaries of the world face. Undoubtedly, the success of the rule of law in our countries depends on how the judiciaries respond to such challenges and how they emerge. I do hope that at the end of the Conference, all of us would be benefited by learning from each other and have a clearer definition of the roles of the judiciary in the changing world.”.As he rendered the vote of thanks, Justice Arun Mishra also observed that today, India is the “biggest, successful democracy in the world” and about how dignified human existence remains India’s prime concern. He went on to thank the dignitaries who spoke before him, including Prime Minister Modi.."We thank the versatile genius, who thinks globally and acts locally, Shri Narendra Modi for his inspiring speech which would act as a catalyst in initiating the deliberations and setting the agenda for the conference."Justice Arun Mishra.He also made note to particularly thank CJI Bobde for having taken the initiative to convene the conference..As he concluded his address, Justice Mishra also commented that there was a growing concern of masses being left out by globalisation. He noted that this issue has to be addressed by making a purposive interpretation of the Constitution in which we exist, before it becomes lethal like the Coronavirus..[Watch the full video of the inaugural address]