CJI Gavai recalled Ambedkar’s firm stance against separate Constitutions for states, saying Article 370 contradicted the idea of a united India under one Constitution.
Nagpur: On Saturday, June 28, 2025, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai highlighted the vision of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar for a single Constitution to maintain unity across the country.
Speaking at a public event in Marathi, CJI Gavai recalled how Dr. Ambedkar never supported the idea of any state having its own separate Constitution.
Justice Gavai made this remark while referring to the landmark judgment in the Article 370 case. He was part of the five-judge Constitution Bench led by then Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, which unanimously upheld the Central Government’s decision to revoke Article 370.
This article had earlier granted special status to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre, on August 5, 2019, had removed this special status and reorganised Jammu and Kashmir into two separate Union Territories.
CJI Gavai recalled the moment during the hearing when the matter was being argued before the Constitution Bench.
He said,
“When Article 370 was challenged, it came before us, and when the hearing was underway, I recalled Dr. Babasaheb’s words that one Constitution is suited for a country… If we want to keep the country united, we need only one Constitution.”
Justice Gavai pointed out that Dr. Ambedkar had faced criticism at the time of drafting the Constitution. Critics had claimed that the Constitution gave too much power to the states and had too much federalism, which might weaken national unity during times of war.
However, Dr. Ambedkar had confidently responded, saying that the Constitution was strong enough to withstand all difficulties and would keep the nation together.
Referring to Ambedkar’s faith in the Constitution’s strength, the CJI stated,
“Dr. Ambedkar had been criticised, saying the Constitution provides for too much federalism, and in times of war, the country may not remain united. However, he had responded, saying the Constitution would suit all the challenges and keep the nation united.”
CJI Gavai further compared India’s unity with situations in other neighbouring countries.
He said,
“See the situation in the neighbouring countries, be it Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. Whenever our country faces challenges, it has remained united.”
The event also marked the inauguration of the Constitution Preamble Park, where Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis were present. On this occasion, a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was also unveiled.
Union Minister Gadkari praised the event and said he was pleased that Chief Justice Gavai had inaugurated the park and unveiled the statue. He emphasized the significance of the Constitution, stating,
“Freedom, equality and brotherhood were Dr. Ambedkar’s valuable gift to the country in the form of the Constitution.”
He also mentioned how the Constitution clearly defines the powers and responsibilities of all four pillars of democracy.
He added,
“The Constitution has clearly stated the responsibilities and rights of the four pillars of democracy, i.e. executive, judiciary, legislature and media,”
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also expressed admiration for the CJI’s role and stressed the importance of constitutional awareness.
He said,
“Justice Gavai was performing his responsibility as the Chief Justice of India ably.”
He also stated that the government is committed to promoting the values of the Constitution, especially among students.
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He announced,
“The government has decided that the Preamble of the Constitution should reach every student to mark the Amrit Mohotsav of the Constitution,”
CM Fadnavis concluded by highlighting how the values enshrined in the Constitution could help resolve national challenges.
He said,
“If we accept the values of the Preamble, 90% of the country’s problems will be solved forever,”
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