Today, On 26th November, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant inaugurated the Constitution Day celebrations organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, marking a significant moment for the legal fraternity on the nation’s 76th Constitution Day. He urged renewed integrity and resolve.
New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant today inaugurated the Constitution Day celebrations organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
The event was attended by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Supreme Court judges, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, and foreign delegates from Bhutan, Kenya, Mauritius, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
SCBA President Vikas Singh welcomed all dignitaries and also presented mementos to the guests.
During the function, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the Constitution was drafted through a long and thoughtful exercise.
He stated,
“The Constitution was shaped over 165 days of deliberation by elected members from across India, reflecting the country’s diverse cultures, languages and beliefs. While India drew from several global constitutions, every provision was moulded to suit Indian conditions. The judiciary, executive and legislature function independently with internal checks, and though the judiciary may step in when constitutional values are compromised, ultimately the Constitution alone is supreme. It is the ordinary citizen who has safeguarded the Constitution and kept it effective.”
SCBA President Vikas Singh spoke about the need for honest reflection on how Indian democracy is functioning today. He remarked that Law Day must also help everyone assess where improvements are needed.
He said,
“Law Day should be a moment for introspection whether the Constitution has fulfilled its purpose and where shortcomings need to be addressed. Dr. Ambedkar’s expectation that society would naturally produce capable leaders, that the rise of black money and candidates with criminal backgrounds shows that reality has diverged. There is a need to ensure the right people enter Parliament, and I urge the Law Minister and the CJI to finalise the Memorandum of Procedure, pending since 2016, to strengthen accountability in the collegium system.”
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, in his address, said Constitution Day is a time to remember Dr Ambedkar’s warnings about inequality.
He noted,
“Constitution Day is a moment to reflect on what Dr Ambedkar said when the Constitution was handed over. He had warned that from 26 January 1950, India would enter a phase of contradictions political equality on one hand, but social and economic inequality on the other. That challenge still needs honest introspection. The gap in social and economic equality was once very wide. Every government has contributed in its own way, but the present government has tried to ensure that benefits reach every section. This too calls for reflection.”
He further added that Ambedkar’s call for equal value of each vote remains important even today.
Meghwal said,
“Ambedkar also spoke of ‘one person, one vote, one value.’ If people feel there are shortcomings in how this works today, then that also requires introspection. We must examine how different sectors and institutions are functioning under the Constitution. Over the years, the Constitution has guided us even in difficult times including during the Emergency. We did not stop or bend, and today India stands as the world’s fourth-largest economy, moving towards the third.”
In his first public address after taking office, CJI Surya Kant said Constitution Day is a deeply meaningful occasion.
He stated,
“It is a privilege to be here, especially as this is my first public address. I could not have imagined a more meaningful occasion than Constitution Day. When we mark the moment the people of India gave themselves this foundational document, it is important to remember the Bar’s crucial role in protecting the rule of law. If courts are seen as the sentinels of the Constitution, then members of the Bar are the torchbearers who light the way. Your arguments, scholarship and perspectives help us interpret the Constitution and have shaped its evolution including doctrines like the basic structure.”
He emphasised that the SCBA’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law remains essential.
CJI Surya Kant said,
“The SCBA’s founding commitment to uphold democracy, the rule of law and judicial independence continues to hold true. The judiciary has repeatedly acknowledged the Bar’s role in safeguarding constitutional values. When I speak of the invisible victims of the justice system, I believe only the Bar can help them. Lawyers must advance constitutional ideals through legal aid and by aligning with the spirit of the Directive Principles. Young advocates especially should take up this responsibility. The Constitution’s guardianship does not rest with one institution alone it is shared. The Bar and the Bench are partners: we interpret and you illuminate we guard the ramparts and you strengthen the foundation. On Constitution Day, let us recommit ourselves with integrity, empathy and collective resolve.”
The event concluded with a collective call for deeper commitment to constitutional values, democratic principles and justice for every citizen.
Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated in India on November 26 each year. It marks the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1949, which came into effect on January 26, 1950.
The day is observed to honor the architects of the Constitution, especially Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and to promote awareness about constitutional rights and duties. Various events, lectures, and activities are organized nationwide to emphasize the significance of democratic principles and governance.
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