Chief Justice of India B R Gavai said the judiciary has emphasised human dignity as the soul of the Constitution, stressing that courts have always treated dignity as a substantive right, central to justice, liberty, and equality for all.
Chief Justice of India B R Gavai emphasized that the judiciary has always regarded human dignity as the essence of the Constitution, consistently recognizing it as a substantive right.
While speaking at the eleventh Dr. LM Singhvi Memorial Lecture, CJI Gavai highlighted that human dignity serves as a fundamental principle that embodies the spirit and philosophy of the Constitution, shaping its core values as articulated in the Preamble, liberty, equality, fraternity, and justice.
CJI Gavai addressed an audience that included apex court and high court judges, lawyers, academicians, and lawmakers, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in attendance.
He stated,
“I would say that the judiciary has emphasised human dignity as the soul of the Constitution. It has held human dignity to be a pervasive principle that underlies the very spirit and philosophy of the Constitution, shaping the core values articulated in the Preamble: liberty, equality, fraternity, and justice.”
He noted that through numerous judgments in the 20th and 21st centuries, the Supreme Court has continuously acknowledged that human dignity is both a substantive right and a normative lens through which all fundamental rights must be interpreted.
He elaborated that this interpretation means that dignity acts as a guiding principle connecting rights, enabling the judiciary to create a coherent and holistic framework for constitutional adjudication.
While also praising Dr. LM Singhvi’s contributions, he remarked,
“It has been employed not only to safeguard a dignified existence for individual citizens but also as a constitutional tool to expand, interpret and harmonise rights, ensuring that the protection afforded by the Constitution is meaningful and comprehensive,”
CJI Gavai referred to various Supreme Court rulings, emphasizing that in the context of prisoners, workers, women, and persons with disabilities, human dignity shapes the understanding of autonomy, equality, and justice, ensuring that the law protects not only physical survival but also the broader conditions necessary for a life of self-respect, freedom, and opportunity.
He added,
“By anchoring constitutional interpretation in dignity, the Supreme Court has ensured that the Constitution remains a living instrument, capable of responding to evolving societal challenges while remaining faithful to its foundational values,”
Thanking OP Jindal University and senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, son of the late Dr. LM Singhvi, for the opportunity to deliver the memorial lecture, CJI Gavai noted that the Supreme Court has been consistent in evolving the jurisprudence of human dignity.
He highlighted that,
“The dignity of persons with disabilities has also been increasingly recognised by the courts as an essential facet of constitutional protection.”
He stated that judicial pronouncements affirm that persons with disabilities are entitled to live with self-respect, dignity, autonomy, and equality, and that both society and the State have a responsibility to eliminate barriers physical, social, and institutional that impede their full participation in public and private life.
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CJI Gavai further acknowledged that structural inequalities and systemic discrimination can undermine the dignity of entire social groups, stressing that protecting their dignity requires affirmative action, safeguards, and equality-oriented measures.
He stated,
“Through its jurisprudence, the court has consistently emphasised that dignity encompasses social recognition, respect and the opportunity for marginalised communities to participate fully and equally in society, extending beyond mere legal protection to address entrenched social hierarchies and exclusion,”
He reiterated that the judiciary has affirmed that protecting autonomy is a central mechanism through which the Constitution safeguards human dignity, reinforcing the interconnectedness of these two fundamental principles.
CJI Gavai attributed his ability to serve as Chief Justice to the Indian Constitution and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision, noting that although he lacks a doctorate or PhD, he has declined offers of honorary D.Litt. degrees from various institutions until after his retirement on November 24.
He concluded by highlighting that another crucial aspect of human dignity is its intrinsic connection to an individual’s autonomy and decision-making capacity regarding their own life.
He emphasized,
“It encompasses the freedom to exercise choice, personal agency and self-determination. The courts have consistently recognised that human dignity and personal autonomy are mutually reinforcing. A person cannot truly live with dignity if they are denied the ability to make choices regarding their body, actions, or life circumstances,”
CJI Gavai remarked that the judicial acknowledgment of human dignity in India began to take shape in the late 1970s, primarily in response to widespread reports of inhumane treatment of prisoners in jails across the country.