Constitution is not just document but a way of life that continues to guide us: CJI Khanna

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, speaking at the Constitution Day event organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Nov 26, emphasized the transformative role of the Indian Constitution in shaping the nation’s progress.

Justice Khanna highlighted how India has evolved from the struggles of partition, widespread poverty, and illiteracy into a confident democracy and a leading force on the global stage.

“India’s journey from those early challenges to becoming a geopolitical leader is rooted in the Constitution, which has been central to this transformation. It is not just a document but a way of life that continues to guide us,” the CJI remarked at the function held at the Supreme Court.

Since 2015, Nov 26 has been commemorated as Constitution Day, marking the adoption of the Indian Constitution by the Constituent Assembly in 1949. Previously, this day was observed as Law Day.

In his address, Justice Khanna also acknowledged the vital contributions of the legal fraternity to the judiciary's functioning. “While we often associate the judiciary with judges, the Bar is an integral part of it. A strong and capable Bar ensures a robust judiciary,” he said.

Reflecting on his career, Justice Khanna shared that his tenure as a member of the Bar, spanning from 1983 to 2005, exceeded his time as a judge.

The Chief Justice further lauded the legacy of the Supreme Court in landmark rulings covering environmental protection, privacy rights, fundamental freedoms, and the basic structure doctrine. “These decisions would not have been possible without the diligent efforts of the members of the Bar,” he added.

Justice Khanna also addressed practical steps undertaken to improve the functioning of the judiciary, including enhanced Wi-Fi services in the Supreme Court and the introduction of physical notice boards displaying cause lists.

He spoke about reforms to the system of adjournment applications, noting that the streamlined process reduced the volume of applications from approximately 10,000 every three months to just 1,400 in 11 months.

“This change represents a significant improvement. While feedback for further enhancements is welcome, returning to the earlier system would be counterproductive,” he stated, urging the Bar to embrace the reforms in the right spirit.

The Chief Justice called for collective introspection to address existing challenges while celebrating the achievements of the judiciary. “Today is a day to assess our strengths and weaknesses. As the Attorney General aptly said, this is the day to look at the scorecard—not to find it blank but to see both accomplishments and areas requiring improvement. Let us tackle these issues together, with unified efforts from the Bar and the judiciary,” Justice Khanna concluded.

Attorney General R. Venkataramani, SCBA President Kapil Sibal, and other prominent legal professionals also spoke at the event, highlighting the enduring significance of the Constitution in India’s democratic journey.