Latest news with #ConstitutionPreamblePark
News18
16 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
CJI Gavai Backs Article 370 Abrogation, Says Step Consistent With Ambedkar's Vision
Last Updated: 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
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
CJI Gavai says Article 370 went against Ambedkar's vision of one Constitution for India
Nagpur: Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai on Saturday said the 's unanimous verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370 to revoke special status for Jammu and Kashmir was consistent with Dr BR Ambedkar's vision of a single Constitution for a unified India. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He added that two constitutions for one country was never the vision of the chief architect of the statute. "We judges upheld the govt's decision to abrogate Article 370 to ensure that India is governed under one Constitution," he said, calling the judgment an important affirmation of Ambedkar's ideology. Justice Gavai was speaking at the inauguration of the Constitution Preamble Park at the Nagpur University's School of Law. Justice Gavai emphasised that though judges usually refrain from discussing their judgments in public, the Article 370 ruling was of such constitutional significance that it merited reflection. He said it aligned with the foundational principles laid down by Ambedkar, who firmly believed in unity through a single legal and constitutional framework. "During the Constituent Assembly debates, Dr Ambedkar clearly said India should not follow the American model of separate constitutions for the Union and states. He believed in one nation, one Constitution, and that's the philosophy we reinforced in the verdict," Gavai said. He further said even amid turmoil and constitutional breakdowns in neighbouring nations of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, India has remained united and democratic because of the strong constitutional edifice built by Ambedkar and his fellow framers. "Our neighbours have witnessed coups, collapses, and severe instability, but in 75 years, India has stood firm — thanks to the inclusive and progressive framework of the Constitution," he said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Accompanied by Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, minister of state Ashish Jaiswal, and Bombay High Court's Nagpur bench judges including Nitin Sambre, Anil Kilor, Abhay Mantri and Justice Sanjeev Kalgaonkar of MP High Court, the CJI said he felt deeply honoured to inaugurate the Preamble Park during the Constitution's platinum jubilee year and during his first visit to Nagpur as the country's top judge. "The drafting of our Constitution was not merely a legal process, but a social revolution. Babasaheb worked for over two-and-half years to craft a document that gave voice and dignity to the weakest sections of society," said Gavai. He pointed out how Ambedkar ensured that social, economic, and political justice were embedded in the very Preamble of the Constitution. Visibly emotional during his speech, Gavai said he was proud to have recently unveiled Ambedkar's statue at the Supreme Court, and even more privileged to inaugurate the Preamble Park in Nagpur — the very city where Ambedkar led a historic socio-religious revolution by embracing Buddhism in 1956. Recalling landmark constitutional decisions, Gavai also referred to the Kesavananda Bharati case, which established the doctrine of basic structure. This doctrine states that while the Parliament can amend the Constitution, it cannot alter or destroy the "basic structure" or fundamental features of the Constitution. "Justice Mudholkar, who hailed from Nagpur, was among the first to articulate that the Constitution had a core that could not be altered. This idea was later reinforced by the Supreme Court, ensuring that fundamental rights and democratic principles could never be diluted," he explained. He described Preamble Park as a living monument to constitutional values, built not just to commemorate history but to inspire future generations. "The murals, Ambedkar's quotes, and visual elements in this park will help citizens internalise the ideals of liberty, equality, justice, and fraternity," he said. Gavai lauded Dr Ambedkar School of Law for its exceptional legacy of producing legal luminaries, including two former Chief Justices of India — M Hidayatullah and Sharad Bobde, many chief justices, and eminent lawyers. "This is a unique institution. Though I didn't study here, it feels like home. The college has contributed immensely to India's legal system," Gavai noted. The CJI also paid heartfelt tribute to his father, former Governor and MP RS Gavai, and senior Ambedkarite leader Dadasaheb Kumbhare for their lifelong commitment to social justice and the Ambedkarite movement.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Embrace ideas, values of Constitution from Preamble Park: Fadnavis, Gadkari
1 2 Nagpur: Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar crafted the Indian Constitution by blending global and timeless Indian values, with the Preamble being its core. If citizens embrace the values enshrined in the Preamble, 90% of the country's issues could be resolved permanently, said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday. Fadnavis was speaking during the inauguration of the Constitution Preamble Park and a full-length statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai on the premises of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar School of Law. Union minister for road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari , said the park will spread the Constitution's fundamental ideas among students and the public. Fadnavis stated that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction for him that the Constitution Preamble Park and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's statue are being unveiled at the same law college where he studied constitutional principles and put them into practice. The CM stressed that completion and public opening of this park during the Amrit Mahotsav year of the Constitution is particularly significant. "The Indian Constitution has established a robust democracy, ensuring freedom of expression, fundamental rights, equal opportunities, and a system for delivering justice. This has enabled India to become the world's fourth-largest economy. The Preamble is the essence of the Constitution, and its values need to be embraced by all citizens," he said. Fadnavis expressed confidence that the park will inspire everyone who visits it. He also announced that a new building for the School of Law would be constructed, and all necessary facilities would be provided for the park. Gadkari said Nagpur University took the initiative to establish the Constitution Preamble Park, which was realised with financial support from the state govt and public participation. He highlighted that the university has produced eminent personalities like a Prime Minister, while Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Law College has given the country two CJIs. "The establishment of the park adds to this legacy," he said. Social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat discussed the financial and other support provided by the social justice ministry for the park's establishment. Senior social activist and chairman of the Constitution Preamble Park Committee, Girish Gandhi, provided details of the park's development stages. Nagpur University acting VC Madhavi Khode-Chaware, School of Law director Ravishankar Mor, Constitution Preamble Park Committee members and others were present on the occasion. Committee member Puran Meshram read out the Constitution's Preamble.
