Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, speaking at the Milan Court of Appeal in Italy on Thursday, highlighted the transformative role of the Indian Constitution in delivering socio-economic justice over the past 75 years.
Delivering a lecture on the theme “Role of Constitution in Delivering Socio-Economic Justice in a Country: Reflections from 75 Years of Indian Constitution,” CJI Gavai described the Constitution as not merely a political charter for governance but as a “revolutionary statement” that provided hope to a nation emerging from colonial rule marred by poverty, inequality, and deep social divisions.
“The Indian Constitution has given us the vision, tools, and moral guidance… It has shown us that law can indeed be a tool for social change, a force for empowerment, and a protector of the vulnerable,” said the CJI.
He underscored how affirmative action policies in education—aimed at correcting historical injustices—remain a concrete expression of the Constitution’s commitment to substantive equality and socio-economic justice for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and socially and educationally backward classes.
Reflecting on the Constitution’s journey, CJI Gavai said that its Directive Principles of State Policy have increasingly been enforced by legislative actions and judicial interpretations, transforming socio-economic rights like education and livelihood into enforceable fundamental rights.
“The Indian Parliament and Supreme Court have played complementary roles—through amendments, legislation, and path-breaking judgments—in ensuring that socio-economic rights are no longer aspirational but are rights with legal backing,” he noted.
CJI Gavai proudly stated that the framers of the Constitution were deeply conscious of ensuring socio-economic justice, laying a model for other post-colonial democracies striving to build inclusive and participatory governance structures.
“Land and agrarian reforms and affirmative action laws were among the earliest transformative steps taken by Parliament post-adoption of the Constitution, and their positive impact is visible in the progress made over the decades,” he remarked.
Summing up, the CJI said that India’s Constitution remains a living document, constantly adapting to meet the changing aspirations of its people while steadfastly pursuing its core ideals of justice, equality, and dignity for all citizens.
The address by India’s top judge in Italy marks another milestone in the global recognition of the Indian Constitution’s unique contribution to building an equitable, inclusive democracy.