Yesterday, On 29th June, Chief Justice Chandrachud cautioned against likening the court to a temple and judges to deities, emphasizing the judiciary’s obligation to serve the public. He stressed the importance of constitutional morality and noted the need for compassion in sentencing. Chandrachud also highlighted the role of technology in promoting access to justice and addressing contemporary societal challenges.
Supreme Court Justice Abhay S. Oka advocates for replacing religious rituals with reverence to the Constitution’s preamble at court events to uphold India’s secular ideals. He calls for this change as the Constitution nears its 75th anniversary, aiming to promote a more inclusive and constitutional approach within the judiciary in alignment with India’s democratic principles.
Former Supreme Court Justice KM Joseph emphasized that the Indian Constitution inherently embraces secular values, regardless of the explicit mention of ‘secularism’ in the preamble. He highlighted that the removal of the word “secular” would not diminish the equality guaranteed under relevant articles. Justice Joseph underlined the significance of secularism as a basic feature of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court is examining a plea filed by Dr. Subramanian Swamy to remove “Socialist” and “Secular” from the Indian Constitution’s Preamble. This raises questions about amending the Preamble without changing its original adoption date. The case delves into legal and ideological aspects and may redefine the Constitution’s interpretative boundaries.