‘One of the last remaining spaces of hope': Ex-CJI N V Ramana says ‘unwarranted attacks' on judiciary impact people's trust

Indian Express

08-05-2025

The judiciary is 'one of the last remaining spaces of hope for the common man,' former Chief Justice of India N V Ramana said on Wednesday, adding that 'unwarranted attacks on this institution affect the very foundation of people's trust'.
Justice (retd) Ramana made the remarks while speaking at the release of his book titled Narratives off the Bench – A Judge Speaks, a compilation of his speeches, at the Delhi High Court.
'When the rank and file of the judiciary are assured that the highest judicial institution stands firm to safeguard their rights and redress their grievances, they are less likely to seek support from other sources such as political and executive powers,' he said.
'As elder brothers and sisters in the judicial family, the honourable judges of the Supreme Court have a moral and institutional duty to look after all the judges of the country…the SC must ensure that the judges feel supported and secure in their roles. The higher judiciary must lead with care and compassion while nurturing a judicial culture rooted in dignity, integrity, and solidarity,' he added.
CJI-designate B R Gavai and Justices Vikram Nath and Surya Kant were also present at the book release function.
Justice Kant emphasised that public engagements by judges reinforce judicial accountability and shape and influence public opinion. 'When judges share their insights and opinions in public forums, they perform a vital democratic function. From the dais, they demystify the law, however, in public forums or public engagements, judges actually engage with the public on their concerns and pressing issues that may not have reached the courtrooms, but which still impact the entire nation. In these moments, the public sees them not only as arbiters of disputes but as the true custodians of the Constitution,' Justice Kant said.
Emphasising the need for such public engagement, Justice Kant added, 'Public engagement by judges reinforces judicial accountability. The challenges confronting our judicial system – from case backlogs to infrastructure deficiencies – are not abstract policy concerns, they are real problems which impact the daily lives of our citizens. When judges speak candidly about these systemic hurdles, their voices lend weight to the calls for reform, their voices inspire action, not only in the legal community but across the border and larger fabric of the society.'
'The old adage that 'judges speak only through their judgments', in my opinion, is perhaps only partially true in today's world…speaking about issues such as the value of education, judicial reforms and rights of marginalised communities, judges can pave the way for change in societal outlook. When someone in a position of great responsibility speaks about ideals and principles that are meant to engage society, they influence public opinion and perception. They can make certain ideals more palatable, and over time, these ideals can become the new reality,' he added.