CJI Surya Kant highlighted the challenges faced by judges, saying, ‘We judges have a very miserable life.’ He added that sports play an extremely important role, offering relaxation and balance, at the All India Judges Badminton Championship.
The All India Judges Badminton Championship commenced on Saturday morning at Thyagaraj Stadium in Delhi.
Approximately 80 judges from the Supreme Court and various High Courts across India are competing in this two-day event. The matches include men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant inaugurated the tournament, which was also attended by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, alongside several Supreme Court judges and Chief Justices from High Courts.
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Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant emphasized the importance of recreational activities for judges as a means to recharge themselves, given their long working hours and the stressful nature of their profession.
During the opening ceremony of the All India Judges Badminton Championship, he stated,
“The working hours of judges are long and the nature of (their) work is very stressful. Sitting hours are long. All judges should participate in a recreational activity and make it a habit. Recreation is needed to recharge them.”
CJI Kant noted the significant participation of High Court judges in the event, highlighting their awareness of the importance of health and well-being.
He added,
“I recollect that when I was a young judge, one judge of brother judges was transferred to a different High Court. Whenever he came to Chandigarh, on a lighter side we would ask him, ‘Brother, how are you?’. The only answer he would give is, ‘Hum judge logo ki life bohot miserable hai (We judges have a very miserable life)’. Actually, it is really miserable. The kind of work day and night we do. And, therefore, sports is an extremely important event which is part of our life,”
Arjun Ram Meghwal described the judges’ badminton championship as a “good initiative,” highlighting its role in promoting fitness among the public.
He stated to media,
“The Ministry of Law and Justice granted approval for the All India Judges Badminton Championship, after which former CJI B.R. Gavai gave his nod… This is a good initiative. The judges are giving out a good message of fitness to everyone…”
Kiren Rijiju, who participated in a friendly badminton match during the championship’s opening ceremony, remarked,
“Other tournaments will also be organised. Several judges from the Supreme Court and High Court have come here to play. We have played a bit today and have inaugurated the event.”
The ceremony, held at the Thyagraj Sports Complex, was attended by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, and other apex court judges.
The two-day championship will conclude with a closing ceremony and prize distribution led by former CJI B R Gavai and Justice Vikram Nath on Sunday.
The event is organized by former international badminton player Abantika Deka.