Mumbai, May 18: Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai on Sunday reaffirmed a fundamental tenet of Indian democracy—that the Constitution of India, and not any one institution, holds the highest authority in the republic. Speaking at a felicitation ceremony and the State Lawyers’ Conference organised by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa, CJI Gavai emphasized the need for mutual respect, cooperation, and constitutional alignment among the three primary pillars of democracy: the judiciary, the legislature, and the executive.
Delivering his first major public address after being sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India earlier this week, Justice Gavai made it unequivocally clear that true democratic strength lies not in the supremacy of one arm over another, but in their collective adherence to the guiding spirit and letter of the Constitution. “Neither the judiciary, nor the executive, nor the Parliament is supreme. It is the Constitution of India that is supreme, and each of the three wings must function strictly within its framework,” he said, drawing resounding applause from the legal fraternity gathered at the event.
Justice Gavai praised the strides India has made in both the social and economic spheres over the decades, stating that the country’s democratic foundations remain resilient and dynamic. He noted that the development seen across sectors has been made possible due to the strength of the Constitution and the collective functioning of its institutions, even amidst occasional tensions.
Underscoring the principle of constitutional equality, the Chief Justice said that all three organs of the state—the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary—are co-equal partners in the governance of the country. He added that respect among these institutions is not optional, but essential for maintaining the democratic balance. “All the organs of the Constitution must reciprocate and give due respect to each other,” he said, cautioning against the dangers of institutional overreach and conflict.
The event also featured the release of a commemorative book chronicling 50 significant judgments delivered by Justice Gavai during his illustrious judicial career. The compilation reflects his commitment to upholding justice, safeguarding constitutional values, and interpreting the law with both sensitivity and rigour.
Justice Gavai’s remarks come at a time when the role and limits of constitutional institutions have been at the centre of national discourse. His call for institutional synergy and fidelity to constitutional principles was not just a message to the legal community, but a reminder to all stakeholders in India’s democracy.