At Oxford Union, CJI Gavai described the Constitution as a “quiet revolution empowering the marginalised,” stressing its transformative strength in ensuring justice, equality, and dignity for those historically denied voice, rights, and representation in society.
Chief Justice of India BR Gavai characterized the Constitution as a “quiet revolution etched in ink,” emphasizing its role as a transformative force that not only ensures rights but also uplifts historically marginalized groups.
Speaking at the Oxford Union on “From Representation to Realization: Embodying the Constitution’s Promise,” the CJI, who is both the second Dalit and the first Buddhist to occupy India’s top judicial position, highlighted the positive influence of the Constitution on disadvantaged communities, drawing from his own experiences to illustrate his point.
Also Read: CJI BR Gavai: “Judges Should Remain Free from External Influence”
He stated,
“Many decades ago, millions of citizens of India were called ‘untouchables’. They were told they were impure. They were told that they did not belong. They were told that they could not speak for themselves. But here we are today, where a person belonging to those very people is speaking openly, as the holder of the highest office in the judiciary of the country.”
Gavai highlighted that the Constitution assures citizens of their belonging and empowers them to advocate for themselves, offering them an equal place in all aspects of society and governance.
He remarked,
“At the Oxford Union today, I stand before you to say: For India’s most vulnerable citizens, the Constitution is not merely a legal charter or a political framework. It is a feeling, a lifeline, a quiet revolution etched in ink. In my own journey, from a municipal school to the Office of the Chief Justice of India, it has been a guiding force,”
He described India’s Constitution as more than just a legal structure; it is a social and moral document created in the context of deep-seated inequality.
The drafters included representatives from various marginalized groups Dalits, Adivasis, women, religious minorities, persons with disabilities, and even those once labeled as “criminal tribes.”
He emphasized,
“The Constitution is a social document, one that does not avert its gaze from the brutal truths of caste, poverty, exclusion, and injustice. It does not pretend that all are equal in a land scarred by deep inequality. Instead, it dares to intervene, to rewrite the script, to recalibrate power, and to restore dignity,”
The CJI noted that the Constitution embodies the “heartbeat of those who were never meant to be heard, and the vision of a country where equality is not just promised, but pursued.” He asserted that it compels the State not only to protect rights but also to actively uplift and affirm the dignity of all citizens.
Reflecting on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s legacy, Gavai praised him as a visionary who transformed his personal experiences of caste discrimination into a broader understanding of justice.
He quoted Ambedkar’s influential 1949 speech to the Constituent Assembly, stating,
“He believed that democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy.”
The CJI explained that Ambedkar viewed political representation as essential for checking established caste hierarchies and arbitrary power, acting as a tool for redistributing not just institutional power, but social dignity. He asserted that in an unequal society, democracy cannot endure unless power is shared among communities that have historically been excluded.
Gavai discussed the evolution of affirmative action in India, originally implemented through quotas in legislatures, government jobs, and educational institutions, and later expanded via judicial interpretation and legislative reforms.
He referenced landmark Supreme Court rulings, including the Mandal reservation decision, to illustrate that affirmative action is not contrary to equality, but rather a realization of its essence.
“The Constitution imposes a duty of care on the State,”
He quoted constitutional scholar Upendra Baxi, “to achieve equality both in letter and in spirit.”
The CJI also mentioned important judgments, such as the 2014 NALSA ruling affirming transgender rights, the 2020 decision allowing permanent commissions for women in the armed forces, and mandates for reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.
Also Read: CJI BR Gavai Pays Tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar at Gray’s Inn, London
He highlighted the 2023 constitutional amendment providing political reservations for women and the Supreme Court’s endorsement of sub-classification within Scheduled Castes to promote intra-group equity.
He concluded,
“The true beauty of Indian democracy lies in this: even as we commemorate 75 years of the Constitution, we continue to reflect, renew, and reimagine how to deepen and expand the meaning of representation. Just last year, Parliament passed a constitutional amendment to provide political reservations for women in Parliament and state legislatures,”
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
