Every Religion Has Its ‘Dharma Granth’, But For Every Indian, The Constitution Is The Great ‘Granth’ – CJI B R Gavai In Itanagar
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CJI B R Gavai stressed decentralisation of justice at the inauguration of the Gauhati High Court Itanagar Bench, urging speedy, affordable justice for all. He reminded that courts exist to serve the people, not the powerful.
Itanagar: On August 10 – Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai has said that the judiciary, legislature, and executive have only one purpose — to serve the people and make sure that justice is delivered quickly and at the lowest possible cost.
Speaking at the inauguration of the newly constructed Gauhati High Court, Itanagar Permanent Bench building, he strongly supported decentralisation of justice and the idea that legal help should reach people’s homes.
“I have always been a staunch supporter of decentralisation. Justice should reach people’s doorsteps,”
CJI Gavai said while addressing the gathering.
He made it clear that no institution exists for the benefit of its own members.
He said,
“Neither the courts, nor the judiciary, nor the legislature exist for the royals, judges, or members of the executive. We all exist to give justice to the people,”
CJI Gavai praised the successive Chief Justices of the Gauhati High Court for their work in making justice more accessible to the common people.
He also appreciated Arunachal Pradesh’s example of unity in diversity, mentioning that the state is home to 26 major tribes and over 100 sub-tribes. He said the state government has worked to protect and promote the culture and traditions of every tribe.
He said,
“The country must progress, but not at the cost of our culture and traditions. It is one of our fundamental duties under the Constitution to preserve and conserve them,”
Talking about his visits to several northeastern states over the past two years, the CJI said he was deeply impressed by their rich tribal culture. Referring to a recent visit to shelter homes in violence-hit Manipur, he said,
“A woman there told me, ‘You are welcome to your home’. It touched my heart because for all of us, India is one, and for all Indians, India is their home.”
Quoting B R Ambedkar, he said:
“Baba Saheb was a staunch supporter of India’s unity. He always said, ‘India first and India last’. He assured that our Constitution will keep India united and strong in times of peace and war, which we have witnessed even after 75 years.”
He further stressed the importance of respecting the Constitution above all else.
“Every religion has its own ‘dharma granth’ (religious scripture), but for every Indian, the Constitution is the great ‘granth’. Our first allegiance must be to it,”
he said, urging citizens to read and understand the document.
CJI Gavai also reminded the audience of Ambedkar’s words that
“political equality without economic and social equality has no value,”
highlighting the role of the Constitution’s Fifth and Sixth Schedules in protecting the traditions and culture of the Northeast’s tribal communities.
Earlier in the event, Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, Ashutosh Kumar, said the new court building reflects the constitutional commitment to provide justice to all, without barriers of geography.
He said,
“Let Arunachal be the place where justice comes first without delay, just as it witnesses the first sunrise,”
He added that
“court buildings are not just infrastructure, they are temples of Constitutional morality.”
Supreme Court judges ujjal bhuyan, n kotiswar singh, saandeep mehta, and vijay bishnoi was also present at the inauguration ceremony.
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The newly built complex, costing Rs 135.35 crore, is equipped with modern facilities and has five courtrooms. The Public Works Department began construction in February 2021, after the foundation was laid by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu in 2018.
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