Must question those in power: SC judge
In a democracy, citizens must use their liberties to constantly question those in power and not be complacent about any encroachment of their rights, Supreme Court judge S Ravindra Bhat said at an online event on Sunday. Speaking on the topic, ‘Role of Judiciary in Governance’, Justice Bhat said at a time when the world is bearing a pandemic and its painful and traumatic consequences, it is all the more important for people to cherish their liberties and question the moves and policies that displace constitutional liberties. “We gained our freedom at a great cost. Every Indian... has to use his liberties to constantly question the actions of those in power because democracy gives no tickets to free meals. It is for us to assert and guard liberty and not be complacent about any encroachment,” he said.
NEW DELHI: In a democracy, citizens must use their liberties to constantly question those in power and not be complacent about any encroachment of their rights, Supreme Court judge Justice S Ravindra Bhat said at an online event on Sunday.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Role of Judiciary in Governance’, Justice Bhat said at a time when the world is passing through a pandemic and its painful and traumatic consequences, it is all the more important for people to cherish their liberties and question the moves and policies that displace the liberties that the Constitution guarantees.
“We gained our freedom at a great cost. Every Indian, therefore, has to use his liberties to constantly question the actions of those in power because democracy gives no tickets to free meals. It is for us to assert and guard liberty and not be complacent about any encroachment,” he said. The judge was addressing the first anniversary celebrations of an organisation called Connecting Governed, Governing and Governance that comprises lawyers, judges and academics and which also has former Chief Justice of India (CJI) KG Balakrishnan as one of its patrons. Justice Bhat touched upon the horrors of the pandemic and said personal freedoms become even more important during such a crisis.