President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday batted for the setting up of an All-India Judicial Service as a way to ensure equal representation of India’s diversity in the judiciary, also stressing that the cause of justice is best served by making it accessible to all — which she emphasised that it still remains to be.
The President’s remarks came when she was speaking at an event celebrating Constitution Day at the Supreme Court. The event also saw the inauguration of a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at the court complex.
During her remarks, the President said, “More varied representation of India’s unique diversity on Bench and Bar definitely helps serve the cause of justice better. One way to hasten this diversification process can be the creation of a system in which judges can be recruited from varied backgrounds through a process which is merit-based, competitive and transparent”.
She added that there could possibly be an All-India Judicial Service, which will be able to select “brilliant youngsters from across the country and nurture and promote their talents from lower levels to higher levels” to create a larger pool of talent. She said, “Such a system can offer opportunities to the less-represented social groups too.”
Cost, language barriers
Ms. Murmu also stressed the cause of making justice accessible in the country, saying that even now barriers such as cost and language are in the way of making this a reality. She proposed a “citizen-centric approach” to improve access to justice, adding, “Our systems have been products of time; more precisely, products of colonialism. Clearing away its vestiges has been a work in progress.” She said rest of the de-colonisation could be sped up with conscious efforts.
On the Constitution, the President said, “The values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity are the principles on which we have agreed to conduct ourselves as a nation. These values helped us win Independence. It is no wonder these find a special mention in the Preamble and continue to guide our nation-building efforts.”
She added that the Constitution is only a written document and that it comes alive and remains alive only if its contents are put into practice. The President appreciated the Supreme Court for exercising its role as final interpreter of the document to perfection.
“This court’s Bar and Bench have constantly raised the standards of jurisprudence. Their legal acumen and scholarship have been par excellence. Like our Constitution, our Supreme Court too has been a model for many other nations. With a vibrant judiciary, the health of our democracy is never going to be a cause of concern,” she said.
Ambedkar's statue unveiled in Supreme Court
President Murmu unveiled a statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar in the Supreme Court premises on the occasion of Constitution Day.
CJI Chandrachud and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal paid their tributes to the father of the Indian Constitution folding hands and offering flowers to the over 7-feet tall sculpture.
The unveiling was followed by plantation of saplings by President Murmu and CJI Chandrachud.
The event was attended by several judges of the top court.
Since 2015, November 26 is observed as Constitution Day to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly in 1949. Earlier, the day was observed as Law Day.
(with inputs from PTI)
