CJI Gavai said achieving gender justice is not women’s responsibility alone, urging men to share power for society’s liberation while delivering the 30th Justice Sunanda Bhandare Memorial Lecture on the theme Justice for All: Building a Gender Equal and Inclusive India.
Chief Justice of India B R Gavai remarked that the vigilance of civil society, the determination of women’s movements, and the bravery of ordinary citizens have collectively ensured that the judiciary upholds the constitutional promise of equality.
While speaking at the 30th Justice Sunanda Bhandare Memorial Lecture, CJI Gavai noted that over the past 75 years, India has made significant strides in advocating for women’s rights and fostering an inclusive society.
He highlighted the role of the courts as protectors of equality and human dignity throughout this journey, from early battles for recognition to the current emphasis on intersectional and participatory justice.
CJI Gavai stated,
“This evolution has not been without its challenges. There have been moments when judicial interpretations failed to capture the lived realities of women or fell short of the transformative spirit of the Constitution.”
He emphasized that the vigilance of civil society, along with the tenacity of women’s movements and the bravery of everyday citizens, has been crucial in holding the judiciary accountable to the promise of equality laid out in the Constitution.
He also said,
“Achieving gender justice is not the responsibility of women alone. It requires an active reimagining of power by men, especially those who occupy positions of authority in our institutions, workplaces, and political systems. Real progress will come only when men recognize that sharing power is not an act of loss, but of liberation of society. The path to a gender equal India, therefore, lies not in confrontation, but in collaboration, where men and women together rebuild the moral and institutional architecture of equality envisioned by our Constitution,”
The event was also attended by Delhi High Court Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and former Supreme Court judge M B Lokur. CJI Gavai acknowledged that while courts have played a significant role in advancing gender justice, the collective voice of citizens has been instrumental in questioning and revising regressive judicial precedents through reform, reinterpretation, or legislative change.
He mentioned,
“The dialogue between the courts and the people thus remains one of the most vital sources of India’s democratic strength, reminding us that the march toward gender equality is not a destination reached but a commitment constantly renewed.”
However, he pointed out that despite the progress made, the journey toward true gender equality is still ongoing.
He stressed,
“The task before us is not merely to celebrate symbolic achievements or token representations but to ensure that women have a real and equal share in spaces of power, decision-making and opportunity. Equality must not be confined to numbers or appearances; it must be reflected in the structures, attitudes, and institutions that shape our public and private lives,”
With his impending retirement on November 23, CJI Gavai remarked,
“We must continue to dismantle the invisible barriers (social, cultural and economic) that limit women’s freedom and participation. The rights guaranteed by our Constitution must reach every woman, not just those in metropolitan cities or privileged contexts, but also those in small towns, villages, and marginalized communities who continue to live at the edges of justice.”
He affirmed that true equality requires that the benefits of law, education, and opportunity reach all women comprehensively.
He said,
“At the same time, achieving gender justice is not the responsibility of women alone. It requires an active reimagining of power by men, especially those who occupy positions of authority in our institutions, workplaces and political systems,”
CJI Gavai concluded,
“Real progress will come only when men recognize that sharing power is not an act of loss but of liberation of society.”
He highlighted that,
“The path to a gender-equal India, therefore, lies not in confrontation but in collaboration, where men and women together rebuild the moral and institutional architecture of equality envisioned by our Constitution.”
In recalling Justice Sunanda Bhandare’s contributions to the legal field, he noted,
“She challenged the prevailing societal norms and urged the judiciary to develop a deeper understanding of gender justice and equity.”
CJI Gavai praised her legacy as a judge of the Delhi High Court, recognizing her independence, fairness, and belief that the law should serve as a tool for social advancement rather than a privilege reserved for a few.