Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, in his keynote address, today, at the 2023 Jamnalal Bajaj Awards ceremony, highlighted the growing polarization in India and around the world, attributing it to factors such as the rise of social media, intolerance among communities, and the short attention spans of the younger generation. He emphasized that this polarization is not just a result of free markets and technology but is deeply rooted in society’s failure to recognize the importance of self-sacrifice for the greater community goal.
CJI Chandrachud remarked,
“Much of the polarization which we see today across the globalized world, the polarization between the right and the left and the center, the polarization which we experience across the world, and India is no exception, is also marked by the growth of social media, the sense of intolerance among communities, the short attention spans with the younger generation has.”
He further stressed that societies need to realize the true worth of self-sacrifice in enabling those at the margins to achieve a better future.
Reflecting on India’s 75 years of independence, CJI Chandrachud appreciated the country’s ability to sustain democracy and self-governance through a culture of reasoned dialogue. He stated,
“India is unique because we have been able to sustain democracy. It is the culture of reasoned dialogue. Whereas in many other nations, the power of violence and the power of guns has gotten the better of the rule of law, India has survived through all the tough times because of our ability to engage in a dialogue.”
CJI Chandrachud also addressed the limitations of the law in dealing with injustices, citing harrowing examples from his judicial experience. He said,
“As a judge, everyday we come face to face with injustice. A blind Dalit girl raped by a person who was her neighbor. A woman was sexually harassed by a person who was within her home. While we try and resolve these injustices within the law, we also realize the limitation of the law.”
He emphasized the need for justice beyond the law, urging individuals and communities to tap into their innate goodness, as the law can be a source of both immense good and arbitrariness. The Chief Justice delved into the historical context of India’s independence, highlighting the country’s unique trait of allowing the submergence of the self into infinity, which he described as true service involving the submersion of one’s ego and identity into the act of serving others.
CJI Chandrachud concluded his address by calling for society to distinguish between justice and charity, underscoring the transformative power of kindness and compassion. He urged,
“Let us weave together the threads of justice and fairness, not merely as words spoken, but as inspirations fulfilling and fueling our actions. May this ceremony ignite the spark in each of us to strip the life of justice and selflessness into the fabric of our inclusive society’s tapestry.”
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