August 17, 2025

NEW DELHI: Chief Justice Bhushan Gavai, the second Dalit ever to lead India’s judiciary, gave a heartfelt Independence Day speech at the Supreme Court. He celebrated a major milestone — the appointment of President Droupadi Murmu, daughter of a poor tribal family, as India’s President. "It is the destiny of India that the Santhal community, which was among the first to rise against the British in 1855, now has its daughter, President Droupadi Murmu, holding the highest constitutional office in the land," he said. The CJI painted a vivid picture of her incredible journey, saying, "Her journey from a small village in Odisha to Rashtrapati Bhavan is a testament to how far we have travelled." But he didn’t stop there. He reminded everyone, "The work of building a just, equal, and inclusive India is far from complete." After hoisting the tricolour at the Supreme Court, he spoke about the duty of judges. They must “promote, protect, imbibe, and defend the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity." He stressed that judges of constitutional courts—including High Courts and the Supreme Court—are "co-equals". Together, they have the big responsibility of giving "a broader, more purposive interpretation to the values of the Constitution." The Chief Justice quoted, "Only when the rights of the marginalised are protected will Mahatma Gandhi's Swaraj be real and Ambedkar's idea of democracy be complete." Adding more color to his speech, CJI Gavai recalled the many heroes who have shaped India’s freedom and democracy. "From the hills of today's Jharkhand, where the Santhals lit the first flames of rebellion, to the forests of Chota Nagpur where Birsa Munda dreamed of dignity," he said. "From the humble school in Pune where Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule opened the doors of learning to the excluded, to the renunciation of a knighthood by Tagore in protest against injustice, from crafting of our Constitution by Babasaheb Ambedkar, to the moral compass of Mahatma Gandhi, our freedom was forged not in one place, nor by one people, but by courage of many, united by one dream of equal India." His words remind us all: the road to justice and equality is long, but with courage and unity, India’s dream can shine bright.

Read More at Timesofindia →

Tags: Bhushan gavai, Droupadi murmu, Dalit community, Independence day, Indian judiciary, Equality,