Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 2: On the solemn occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Supreme Court judges gathered at the apex court premises to honor the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, paying floral tributes to the Father of the Nation. Present at the ceremony were Justices Surya Kant, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, N. Kotiswar Singh, and K.V. Vishwanathan.
Following the tribute, Justice Surya Kant addressed fellow judges and dignitaries, describing the act of visiting Gandhiji’s statue as one that evoked “a profound sense of peace and reflection.”
He praised Gandhi not only as a leader of India’s independence movement but as a moral compass whose ideals of truth, non-violence, and justice remain deeply relevant to India’s democratic fabric. “There was a calm dignity in the air that seemed to embody his teachings,” Justice Kant remarked.
Reflecting on Gandhi’s legacy, he emphasized how the Mahatma’s non-violent resistance united people across castes, classes, and religions to rise against British colonial rule. “True strength lies in simplicity and moral conviction,” he said, highlighting Gandhi’s lifelong emphasis on self-reliant villages and grassroots empowerment.
Justice Kant also expanded on Gandhi’s concept of freedom, noting that for him, it went far beyond political independence. “For Gandhiji, true freedom was measured by the dignity of the most vulnerable and the assurance of justice for those at the margins of society.”
He further observed that Gandhi’s idea of justice was not confined to courtroom battles. “Even the fiercest adversaries, he believed, shared a common human thread. Reconciliation was possible—through appeals to both the heart and the mind.”
In his address, Justice Kant also remembered former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, whose birth anniversary coincides with Gandhi Jayanti. He lauded Shastri for carrying Gandhian ideals into public governance. “His iconic call — ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ — continues to resonate as a symbol of national pride and unity, honouring the soldier and the farmer alike.”
Describing Shastri’s leadership as rooted in integrity and accessibility, he said the former PM exemplified Gandhi’s belief that justice and dignity must reach every household and every field.
Drawing a parallel between the two leaders, Justice Kant observed that both Gandhi and Shastri shared an unwavering commitment to justice as the foundation of a just society. “Gandhi saw justice as intertwined with truth and compassion, while Shastri transformed that moral vision into inclusive governance,” he said.
Concluding his speech, Justice Kant called on citizens and institutions to uphold the timeless values these leaders stood for. “Their legacy of justice, humility, and selfless service is not just a remembrance—it is a living call to action in our democratic journey,” he said.
The ceremony served as a reflective moment for the judiciary, reaffirming the enduring relevance of Gandhian principles in contemporary India.