CJI stresses importance of freedom amid unrest in Bangladesh

Today, August 15, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, in an Independence Day speech, stressed the importance of freedom and independence and viewed recent developments in Bangladesh as a stark reminder of the value of these fundamental rights, reports PTI.

Accordingly PTI, After hoisting the national flag on the Supreme Court premises, CJI Chandrachud remarked that India's Independence Day serves as a reminder of the duties of its citizens towards each other and towards the nation to uphold the values ​​of the Constitution.

“What is happening today in Bangladesh, for example, is a clear reminder of how valuable freedom is to us. It is very easy to take independence and autonomy for granted, but it is important to understand the stories of the past to remind us how important these things are,” he said.

The Chief Justice of India's remarks came amid growing concern in India over widespread attacks on Bangladesh's Hindu minority after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country on August 5 following weeks of violent unrest.

The Chief Justice paid tribute to the many lawyers who have given up their legal careers to contribute to the cause of the nation, it says in PTI.

“On the occasion of Independence Day, I wish all of you, the members of our journalistic core, a very happy Independence Day. Through you, I wish the rest of the nation, especially those related to the judiciary, a very happy Independence Day,” he told reporters.

“This is a day to remember the duties we have to each other and to the nation,” Chandrachud said.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who was present at the ceremony, echoed the Chief Justice’s views.

“The Chief Justice of India (CJI) said a few days ago that the Constitution is supreme. When the legislature, executive and judiciary internalise it, India will be a developed nation,” the minister said.

President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Kapil Sibal, also referred to history and recalled the words of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru.

“On August 15, he said, 'I am the first servant of the Indian people.' In this spirit, we want to defend our freedom. We need to be free, we need equality and we need to get rid of poverty,” Sibal said.