With a month left before his retirement, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Tuesday (Oct 8) expressed that he is contemplating how history will judge his tenure and the legacy he will leave for future judges and legal professionals. Justice Chandrachud, who took office on November 9, 2022, after the retirement of CJI UU Lalit, shared his thoughts during a convocation at JSW Law School in Paro, Bhutan.
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BHUTAN: As the current Chief Justice of India (CJI), DY Chandrachud, nears his retirement, he has expressed deep contemplation about how history will remember his tenure and the legacy he will leave behind for future generations of judges and legal professionals.
With just a month left before he steps down, CJI Chandrachud shared his thoughts during a speech at the convocation ceremony of JSW Law School in Paro, Bhutan.
His tenure as CJI, which began on November 9, 2022, following the retirement of CJI UU Lalit, will conclude on November 10, 2024.
His two-year term is the longest the country has seen in the past 14 years.
“I will be demitting office as the Chief Justice of India in November this year, after having served my country for two years. As my tenure is coming to an end, my mind has been heavily preoccupied with fears and anxieties about the future and the past. I find myself pondering over questions such as: Did I achieve everything I set out to do? How will history judge my tenure? Could I have done things differently? What legacy will I leave for future generations of judges and legal professionals?,”
-shared CJI Chandrachud.
These candid reflections reveal the weight of responsibility felt by the country’s top judicial figure. While the CJI acknowledged these concerns, he also recognized that many of the answers lie beyond his control.
“The answers to most of these questions lie beyond my control and perhaps, I will never find answers to some of these questions. However, I do know that, over the last two years, I have woken up every morning with a commitment to give the job my fullest and gone to bed with the satisfaction that I served my country with utmost dedication. It is in this, that I seek solace. Once you have this sense of faith in your intentions and abilities, it is easier to not get obsessed with the outcomes. You begin to value the process and the journey towards these outcomes,”
-he explained.
CJI Chandrachud’s words resonate with a sense of humility and introspection. His approach to leadership has been marked by a steadfast dedication to his role, a commitment he believes brings him personal fulfillment, regardless of external judgments.
He also touched upon broader societal issues in his speech, addressing what he believes to be a common misperception regarding the relationship between traditional values and modern democratic principles. He pointed out that while some view these traditional values as contradictory to ideas such as liberty, equality, and dissent, a deeper examination of Asia’s history reveals a different narrative.
“However, a dispassionate look at the history of our communities in Asia often yields a different answer,”
-said the CJI, challenging the notion that tradition and modern democratic ideals are incompatible.
In addressing the younger generation of law students, CJI Chandrachud shared an empathetic understanding of the passion and idealism that often defines youth. He acknowledged that while many young people are driven by a fierce desire to “right the wrongs” in the world, this enthusiasm is often tempered by factors such as inexperience and uncertainty.
This introspective and forward-looking speech reflects not only CJI Chandrachud’s personal journey but also his vision for the future of India’s judiciary. His tenure, marked by both challenges and accomplishments, will leave a lasting imprint on the nation’s legal landscape.
As he prepares to step down, his reflections serve as both a personal testimony and an enduring message to the next generation of legal professionals.
In his closing remarks, CJI Chandrachud emphasized that while he may never know how history will judge his time in office, he finds solace in the knowledge that he has served his country with unwavering dedication.
His reflections highlight the importance of intention, perseverance, and the acceptance that outcomes are sometimes beyond our control. This outlook offers valuable lessons not only for future judges but for anyone aspiring to make a meaningful impact on society.
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