Addressing the audience at the Constitution Day function, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said that the Constitution was “the voice of the marginalized as well as the prudence of the majority”. Cautioning against the downfall of democracy, he said, ” The constitution is “inextricably entwined” in our lives. It is in the best interests of the nation to heed to the ethics and morality of the Constitution; otherwise, our hubris will end with a plunge into chaos.”
He reminded the people about John Stuart Mill’s take on liberties,”Don’t lay (your) liberties at the feet of even a great man. Or to trust him with power which enables him to subvert (your) institutions.” He added,”There is nothing wrong in being grateful to a great man who has rendered life-long services to the country. But there are limits to gratefulness.”
President Ram Nath Kovind and Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also shared the stage with Gogoi.
In his speech, Prasad highlighted how the Supreme Court had soothed crises in the past. However, the Law Minister said he wanted to make a “submission” before ending his speech. He said the Supreme Court judges should reach a consensus on what made “constitutional morality”.
On the occasion, President Kovind said the Constitution was the “modern scripture of independent India”.