Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud while defended his statement about praying before the deity a day before delivering the verdict in the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. He emphasized that the Indian Constitution does not require a judge to be an atheist to maintain independence.
Senior advocate KK Venugopal pointed out that in the early years of Independent India, the judiciary was so independent that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had strong concerns about its actions. Venugopal’s comments highlight how the judiciary was committed to staying free from political pressure. This tradition still shapes India’s legal system, ensuring a clear separation of powers and protecting the rule of law.
