CJI B.R. Gavai Highlights Human Dignity in Indian Constitution at Dr. L.M. Singhvi Memorial Lecture

Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai, while delivering the 11th Dr. L.M. Singhvi Memorial Lecture in New Delhi, said it was only due to the Indian Constitution and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision that he could hold the office of the Chief Justice and serve the nation. Speaking on the theme “Human Dignity as the Soul of the Constitution: Judicial Reflections in the 21st Century,” CJI Gavai emphasized that dignity forms the very foundation of constitutional democracy.

He recalled his deep personal connection with Dr. L.M. Singhvi through his father’s association with Singhvi and senior jurist Fali Nariman in the Rajya Sabha. Paying tribute, he described Singhvi as a jurist, diplomat, parliamentarian, and scholar who made enduring contributions to law, diplomacy, and governance.

Human Dignity in Indian Constitution as a Central Value

CJI Gavai highlighted that human dignity in Indian Constitution is not just an individual right but a collective value essential for democracy, social harmony, and fraternity. He noted that when every citizen’s dignity is respected and safeguarded, it promotes mutual respect, belonging, and solidarity, which are the true pillars of national unity.

Tracing the evolution of Article 21 jurisprudence, the CJI referred to landmark cases such as Sunil Batra, Francis Coralie Mullin, Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (2017) on privacy, Common Cause (2018) on passive euthanasia, and Sukanya Shanta (2024) on gender rights. He stressed that dignity is infringed not only by physical harm but also whenever autonomy and self-determination are denied.

Tribute to Dr. L.M. Singhvi’s Contributions

The Chief Justice paid rich tributes to Dr. L.M. Singhvi for his pivotal role in conceptualizing Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to strengthen ties with the global Indian diaspora and for chairing the Committee on Panchayati Raj Institutions, which paved the way for the constitutional recognition of grassroots self-governance.

He recalled that the statue of Mahatma Gandhi gifted by Dr. Singhvi to the Supreme Court in 1996 continues to stand as a beacon of truth, justice, and moral integrity. The CJI also praised Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi for carrying forward his father’s vision through academic and social initiatives such as the Singhvi Trinity Scholarship at Cambridge University.

Human Dignity in Indian Constitution and Judicial Role

Turning to the broader theme, CJI Gavai reiterated that the framers of the Constitution, led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, designed it as a weapon for a “bloodless social revolution” to end indignities caused by caste, class, and discrimination. He said the judiciary has consistently expanded the scope of Article 21 to ensure that dignity remains the unifying principle of fundamental rights.

He stressed that dignity must be understood both in the individual sense—as autonomy, privacy, and liberty—and in the collective sense, protecting marginalized groups from structural inequality and discrimination. This dual approach, he said, secures both democracy and fraternity in India.

Distinguished Gathering for the Memorial Lecture

The memorial lecture was attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Attorney General R. Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, SCBA President Vikas Singh, Delhi HCBA President Justice Hariharan, ambassadors, senior lawyers, academics, students, and members of the Singhvi family, including Dr. Abhishek Singhvi, Avishkar Singhvi, and Shirin Moti.

The CJI concluded his address by calling the lecture series itself a testament to Dr. Singhvi’s enduring intellectual and moral legacy.

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