CJI Gavai Backs Article 370 Abrogation, Says Step Consistent With Ambedkar's Vision
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Gavai noted that the Supreme Court was guided by this vision of a unified India under a single constitution when it delivered its verdict on Article 370
Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai has endorsed the abrogation of Article 370, stating that the decision is consistent with the vision and ideology of Dr BR Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
At the inauguration of the Constitution Preamble Park at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar School of Law, Nagpur University, on Saturday, CJI Gavai firmly asserted that the idea of a separate constitution for a state was never part of Ambedkar's vision for a unified India.
Gavai, a member of the five-judge Constitution bench led by then Chief Justice DY Chandrachud that unanimously upheld the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370 in December 2023, elaborated on Ambedkar's foundational principles. He highlighted Ambedkar's stance during the drafting of the Constitution, emphasising that 'the country needs only one constitution. The country would be governed by one constitution. If we want to keep the country united, we need only one constitution."
Gavai noted that the Supreme Court was guided by this vision of a unified India under a single constitution when it delivered its verdict on Article 370.
The Chief Justice also mentioned that Dr Ambedkar had faced criticism for providing what some perceived as 'too much federalism" in the Constitution, raising concerns about the country's unity in times of crisis or war. However, Ambedkar had confidently asserted that the Constitution was designed to address all challenges and would keep the nation united.
(With agency inputs)
First Published:
June 29, 2025, 05:41 IST
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