In his farewell speech at the Supreme Court Bar Association, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud reflected on life lessons from his father, former Chief Justice YV Chandrachud. He emphasized the importance of integrity, family influence, and the value of connecting with society’s margins. CJI Chandrachud retires today, leaving a legacy of humility and justice as Justice Sanjiv Khanna takes over.
New Delhi: In an emotional farewell speech at the Supreme Court Bar Association event, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud reflected on profound life lessons from his father, former Chief Justice YV Chandrachud. Recounting a meaningful conversation, he shared, “He [YV Chandrachud] told me…‘Never allow yourself to be compromised either as a lawyer or as a judge because you have no place of your own.’” The elder Chandrachud had purchased a modest flat in Pune, advising his son to keep it throughout his judicial career as a reminder to uphold moral and intellectual integrity.
The event was a family affair, and Justice Chandrachud warmly acknowledged his mother’s enduring influence. He recalled her saying, “Medicine is like the Ganges, and the doctor was in the position of Narayan (god),” illustrating her deep-rooted faith. She had named him Dhananjay, encouraging him to value knowledge over material wealth. Describing his mother as the powerful force of a “woman-dominated house,” he drew parallels to his wife, Kalpana, who “calls all the shots at home, but never messes around with the judgments”—a statement that won applause from the audience.
CJI Chandrachud also fondly remembered his family’s house help, Bhimabai Bhanu Kamath, who deeply impacted his understanding of society’s margins. He noted, “She made sure that though my father had become a judge, I associated with young friends who belonged to the margins of our society.” Kamath, he shared, had instilled lessons that went beyond the urban life he was born into.
Reflecting on his academic journey, the CJI shared how his father had encouraged him to study Hindi as a subsidiary subject at Delhi University, even though most of his friends were opting for the easier route of philosophy. “I knew only Bambaiya Hindi. But he insisted,” Chandrachud said. Though challenging, learning Hindi introduced him to great literary figures like Mahadevi Verma, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, and Munshi Premchand. His knowledge of Hindi later served him well when he presided over the Allahabad High Court. “Lawyers would accept me so much better… I had reached out to them in a language which was close to their hearts,” he observed, underscoring the power of connecting with people in a way that resonates with them.
Today marks CJI DY Chandrachud’s retirement from the Supreme Court, where he served since November 2022. His farewell resonates with the principles and humility inherited from his family, as he leaves behind a lasting legacy in India’s judicial history. Justice Sanjiv Khanna will be sworn in as the next Chief Justice tomorrow, continuing the tradition of upholding justice and integrity.
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