Prayagraj (UP): The Constitution has ensured that whenever the country has faced a crisis, it has remained united and strong, Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai said on Saturday.
The CJI was addressing a function after the inauguration of the advocate chambers and multi-level parking at the Allahabad High Court here.
“When the Constitution was being made and its final draft was presented before the Constituent Assembly, at that time some people used to say that the Constitution is too federal, while some used to say that it is too unitary.
“Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar had replied that the Constitution is neither wholly federal nor wholly unitary. But one thing I can tell you is that we have given a Constitution which will keep India united and strong both in times of peace and war,” CJI Gavai added.
He stated that India has been on the path of development after independence due to the Constitution, and compared India to neighbouring countries and their experience of development.
“Today, we see what is the condition of our neighbouring countries. And India is making a journey towards development after independence. Whenever there has been a crisis in the country, it has remained united and strong. The credit for this should be given to the Constitution,” he said.
CJI Gavai, during the gathering, also emphasised that it was the fundamental duty of the government to reach out to every last citizen in the country.
“It is our fundamental duty to reach out to the last citizen of this country who needs justice. Be it the legislature, the executive or the judiciary, everyone has to reach out to that citizen,” the CJI said.
He also stated, “I have always said that the bar and the bench are two sides of the same coin. Unless the bar and the bench work together, the chariot of justice cannot move forward.”
The Chief Justice of India praised the Allahabad High Court for being a role model for the country, citing the incident where the judges vacated 12 bungalows for the construction of a complex for lawyers.
