Justice Gavai made these remarks at an event hosted by the Kerala High Court, where several new judicial initiatives were launched, including India’s first digital court to handle Negotiable Instruments Act cases, and Kerala’s sixth special court for cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Justice BR Gavai expressed deep concern on Friday (16th Aug) about the unequal distribution of wealth in the country, where a small elite holds most of the resources, while the majority struggle to secure basic necessities like two meals a day.
READ ALSO: Justice BR Gavai Attributes Supreme Court Position to Dr. BR Ambedkar’s Legacy
Recalling Dr. BR Ambedkar’s address during the final constitutional debates in 1949, Justice Gavai underscored the importance of not overlooking the stark inequalities that persist despite the political equality guaranteed by universal suffrage. He emphasized that the lack of economic and social mobility keeps many citizens confined to the circumstances of their birth, perpetuating systemic inequality.
“Dr. Ambedkar reminded us that, although we have achieved political equality by establishing ‘one person, one vote,’ we have yet to tackle the deeper issues of economic and social inequality. Our society remains rigidly divided, preventing movement across these compartments. Economically, wealth is concentrated in a few hands, while most people can hardly afford two meals a day. Dr. Ambedkar warned that unless we address these disparities, the democratic framework we’ve painstakingly built will crumble,”
Justice Gavai noted.
He made these remarks at an event hosted by the Kerala High Court, where several new judicial initiatives were launched, including India’s first digital court to handle Negotiable Instruments Act cases, and Kerala’s sixth special court for cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, also speaking at the event, highlighted the foresight of the constitution’s framers in including Article 17, which abolished untouchability. The CM reaffirmed Kerala’s dedication to uplifting marginalized communities.
“Without understanding the social history of India, one might find the inclusion of Article 17 puzzling. It reflects the vision of the constitution’s framers to liberate vast sections of the population marginalized due to their caste. The recent amendments to the SC/ST Act mandate the establishment of special courts. With the inauguration of this sixth special court in Ernakulam, Kerala reaffirms its commitment to justice for marginalized groups. Our state allocates a budget for SC/STs that exceeds the normative share based on population, underscoring our dedication to ensuring justice for all,”
CM Vijayan stated.
Justice Gavai also lauded the technological advancements being made within the judiciary, which he believes will enhance the speed, affordability, and accessibility of justice.
“Over the past 60 years, all branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—have worked towards fulfilling the constitutional promise of social and economic justice. I am confident these efforts will lead to faster and more accessible justice for all,”
he said.
He went on to commend the role technology played in enabling the judiciary to adapt during the pandemic, noting that it provided critical support to millions of Indian citizens. He pointed out that, since 2020, technological innovations, such as AI and the translation of judgments into various vernacular languages, have significantly improved access to justice.
“We must remember that the system isn’t for judges or lawyers; it’s for the people. Judges and lawyers serve the citizens of India, the ultimate beneficiaries of the justice system,”
Justice Gavai concluded.
Supreme Court Justices CT Ravikumar and Rajesh Bindal also praised the judiciary’s adoption of technology but urged caution to ensure that those less adept at using digital platforms are not left behind.
Acting Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, along with Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Raja Vijayaraghavan V, reflected on the efforts behind the state’s judicial digitalization vision. They expressed optimism that these new initiatives would significantly enhance accessibility, transparency, and help reduce the backlog of cases.
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