Speaking at the Supreme Court’s Constitution Day event, he emphasized the collective duty of all citizens to ensure the Constitution’s longevity, which he described as essential for maintaining “ordered liberty.”
New Delhi, Nov 26: Attorney General R. Venkataramani emphasized the importance of preserving rights and liberties under India’s Constitution, stating that restrictive or discriminatory measures are contrary to its enduring principles.
Speaking at the Supreme Court’s Constitution Day event, he emphasized the collective duty of all citizens to ensure the Constitution’s longevity, which he described as essential for maintaining “ordered liberty.”
“We, the people of India, have a responsibility to ensure the Constitution’s longevity, as only a lasting Constitution can foster structured liberty,” Venkataramani stated.
“(The concept of) both rights and liberties running riot or restrictions (on rights and liberties), which stifle or discriminate are anathema to an enduring constitution,” he added.
Venkataramani highlighted that both unbridled freedoms and stifling restrictions undermine the Constitution’s endurance. He attributed its resilience to a “holy alliance” between the people, governance institutions, and the judiciary, stressing that the legal profession’s role is to serve this alliance.
Describing Constitution Day as a time for reflection and planning, he urged citizens to act as custodians of the Constitution and its values. He posed critical questions about citizens’ faithfulness to their roles, their efforts to bridge social divides, and their commitment to avoiding divisive discourse that weakens societal cohesion.
Underlining that Constitution Day was a day for stocktaking and an occasion for engagement on future road maps, Venkataramani said all citizens “being custodians of the great and perennial values of Bharat” were also custodians of the Constitution.
“The question, however, would always be, how faithful are we in our roles as custodians? How accommodative are we in bridging and narrowing the social gaps which require and deserve elevated levels of resolutions? How inclined are we to astutely avoid wasteful and distorting social conversations which can debilitate our social fabric?” he said
“All these questions are questions of being custodians of the Constitution,” Venkataramani added.
He said the Constitution was not merely a document that codified public and private power but symbolised the “values of sharing all the common resources and the commonwealth of the nation through an orderly process.”
He portrayed the Constitution as more than a legal document, calling it a symbol of shared national resources and values. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, he likened nurturing the Constitution to watering a tree’s roots for the nation’s prosperity.
The Attorney General cited an August 1875 letter from Swami Vivekananda, stating, “Purity and living a life of ‘Anubhuti’ or realization will prevail over numbers, power, wealth, learning, or eloquence.”
Venkataramani elaborated, “Vivekananda compared nurturing the Constitution to watering a tree’s roots carefully tending to the Constitution allows the nation, like a tree, to flourish.”
However, he acknowledged that achieving the Constitution’s full potential remains a long journey.
“India stands strong on the global stage socially, politically, and economically, thanks to the efforts of various governance institutions,” he remarked, adding, “This progress is a testament to our faith in constitutional governance.”
Referring to a dialogue between Gautam Buddha and his disciple, Venkataramani emphasized,
“We must keep the Constitution balanced not overly rigid or lax but harmonious and functional.”
He noted the need for significant reforms in the justice system.
“Beyond the three new legislations, much more is required to address the justice needs of the poor and marginalized efficiently. A fair and just society depends on a trustworthy criminal justice system,” he asserted.
While celebrating India’s achievements, Venkataramani acknowledged the ongoing journey toward fully realizing constitutional goals. He praised India’s global progress in various fields and credited this to faith in constitutional governance.
He called for significant reforms in the justice system, particularly to meet the needs of marginalized communities. Proposing the establishment of a National Criminal Justice Administration institution, he emphasized the importance of transforming prisons into true centers of rehabilitation.
“Our prisons should become true centers of rehabilitation, reflecting improvements in the justice system. Perhaps we need to consider establishing a National Criminal Justice Administration institution to achieve these goals,” he concluded.
