Former Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan said, “As members of the jurists fraternity, we understand that justice is not an abstract concept confined to courtrooms but a living principle reflected in equality, fairness, and respect for every human being.”
Former Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan remarked that justice transcends mere legal definitions and courtroom confines; it is a living principle that manifests through the promotion of equality, fairness, and respect for all individuals.
Speaking at the International Jurists Peace Prize 2025 ceremony, where Pope Leo XIV was honored at the Apostolic Nunciature for his contributions to peace, interfaith harmony, and human dignity, Balakrishnan emphasized the essence of justice.
He stated,
“As members of the jurists fraternity, we understand that justice is not an abstract concept confined to courtrooms and statutes. It is a living principle that finds its truest expression in the promotion of equality, fairness, and respect for every human being.”
He praised Pope Leo XIV, noting that,
“His Holiness embodies this principle in action.”
The former Chief Justice highlighted the Pope’s calls for an end to violence and discrimination, his focus on mercy and forgiveness, and his advocacy for the rights of marginalized communities, which have inspired millions globally, regardless of their background.
Adish C. Aggarwala, a senior advocate and president of the International Council of Jurists, delivered the welcome address.
He referred to the Pope as a “moral compass for humanity” and a “voice of conscience calling the world back to its foundational values of peace, mercy, and justice.”
Aggarwala added,
“This distinguished award is being conferred in recognition of His Holiness’s deep and lifelong commitment to promoting peace, justice, and human dignity across the world, and for His tireless efforts to foster interfaith understanding, social harmony, and compassion among nations… The path to peace begins not in the corridors of power, but in the conscience of humankind.”
Konakuppakatil Gopinathan Balakrishnan, born on 12 May 1945, is a distinguished Indian jurist who served as the Chief Justice of India from 2007 to 2010 and later headed the National Human Rights Commission.
He made history as the first judge from Kerala and the first Dalit to rise to the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Until the appointment of Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai as Chief Justice in 2025, he remained the only Dalit to have held this prestigious post.
His tenure, spanning over three years, stands among the longest in the Supreme Court’s history.
Earlier, while serving as Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court, he also briefly held the additional charge as Acting Governor of Gujarat from 16 January to 18 March 1999. In recognition of his contributions to the field of law and justice, the Cochin University of Science and Technology awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2010.