At the 38th LAWASIA Conference, CJI BR Gavai called on lawyers and law firms to provide fair chances and supportive conditions for graduates from marginalized communities. He stressed that promoting diversity and inclusion is key to upholding constitutional values and social justice.
At the 38th LAWASIA Conference held in Hanoi, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai delivered a powerful keynote address on the topic, “Role of Lawyers and Courts in Promoting Diversity and Inclusion,” urging the legal community to actively ensure equality and opportunity for all.
Speaking on the responsibilities of lawyers, CJI Gavai emphasized that the legal profession should extend beyond winning cases, highlighting the broader social role lawyers play.
The CJI called on lawyers to provide fair opportunities in their chambers and firms for legal graduates from marginalized communities.
He said,
“We must also create conditions that allow them to thrive and succeed.”
He also addressed gender equality in the legal profession, cautioning against biases based on assumptions about women’s maternity leave, time constraints, or perceived “commitment issues.”
He said,
“Should lawyers be reluctant to hire women because of assumptions about maternity leave, time constraints, or perceived ‘commitment issues’? Absolutely not. Such biases are unfair and counterproductive. Lawyers have a duty to ensure that the principles they advocate in court and in public life are reflected in their own workplaces and professional conduct.”
CJI Gavai further emphasized that lawyers have a moral and social responsibility to contribute to advancing the values enshrined in the Constitution.
He stated,
“We must also reflect on whether the arguments that we advance contribute to expanding the values enshrined in the Constitution. By representing clients from historically excluded or marginalized communities, lawyers have the power to challenge entrenched social hierarchies and longstanding inequalities. In doing so, they play a vital role in promoting diversity and inclusion, not only within the legal system but across governance, public institutions, and society at large. Every case thus becomes an opportunity to uphold justice, transform norms, and strengthen the constitutional promise of equality for all.”
Reflecting on his personal journey, the CJI acknowledged the influence of four individuals who had profoundly shaped his life: Gautam Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, and his father, R.S. Gavai.
Speaking about his background, he said,
“Without the Constitution and its unequivocal prohibition of caste-based discrimination, my journey would have faced far greater obstacles. It is because of these constitutional safeguards that I was able to pursue education and a career in law and ultimately serve as a judge. My own life stands as a testament to the transformative power of equality and the promise of social justice enshrined in our Constitution, demonstrating that when the law safeguards dignity, it can change the trajectory of a person’s life.”
CJI Gavai also recounted a memorable case from his legal career where he represented an individual from a low-caste community, in which no one had ever become a doctor before.
He said,
“The appointment he sought was more than just a routine claim. It was a breakthrough for him and for his entire community. I was able to help secure his appointment, and what may have seemed like an ordinary case to some became a milestone of progress and hope. For that individual, it was a new beginning; for his community, it was a journey toward possibility.”
The Chief Justice also highlighted the importance of implementing these principles not only through judgments but also in the administrative policies of the Court.
He explained,
“I directed that marginalized communities receive their due share in all administrative appointments, and that these policies be applied consistently and transparently.”
CJI BR Gavai’s address at the LAWASIA Conference underlined the pivotal role lawyers and courts play in shaping a more inclusive and equitable society.
By stressing diversity, gender equality, and constitutional values, the CJI urged the legal profession to become a vehicle for social transformation, ensuring that justice, opportunity, and dignity reach every citizen, irrespective of caste, gender, or social background.
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