Supreme Court judge Justice BR Gavai hailed the transformative potential of the Indian Constitution, crediting the majority of the social progress in the country to the structure put in place by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
In a Monday speech, Justice Gavai highlighted that the Constitution has stood the test of time, playing a big role in the unity, strength, and stability of India.
Looking back at India's progress over the last 75 years, Justice Gavai noted the election of two Presidents belonging to the Scheduled Castes—Shri KR Narayanan and Shri Ram Nath Kovind—as a reflection of the social mobility brought about by the Constitution. He also referred to the election of women Presidents and the appointment of Dalit Chief Justices as further proof of the empowerment brought about by the Constitution.
"Today, the nation has a Prime Minister from a humble background, from the Backward Classes, who proudly credits his ascent to the Constitution of India," declared Justice Gavai, highlighting the social upliftment that the Constitution has brought about.
Speaking at the Dr BR Ambedkar Memorial lecture hosted by the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in Delhi, Justice Gavai shared how Ambedkar's work profoundly shaped his own life. “I’m here only because of Dr Ambedkar and the Constitution of India,” said Gavai, who will become the Chief Justice of India in May 2025, following Justice KG Balakrishnan as the second Dalit to hold this prestigious position.
He even quoted Constituent Assembly member KM Jedhe, who addressed the Constitution as the "Bhim Smriti" in honor of Ambedkar's leadership for the Scheduled Castes. Justice Gavai reminisced about Jedhe's statement that there were those who called Ambedkar by the name of Manu, a person Ambedkar detested, and how that showed the deep impact of Ambedkar's work.
Also, Justice Gavai pointed to Ambedkar's conviction that political democracy can never survive if it is not accompanied by social democracy. "Dr. Ambedkar was of the opinion that political democracy cannot survive unless it is founded on social democracy," stated Gavai, reflecting Ambedkar's own vision of society where political as well as social justice are integral to the prosperity of the country.
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