Polarisation between right, left, centre marked by growth of social media: CJI DY Chandrachud

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Friday observed that India was no exception to the global polarisation of society between those holding left, right, or centrist ideologies..The CJI added that this was also marked by the growth of social media, a sense of intolerance between communities, and the short attention spans of the younger generations. .“Much of the polarisation which we see today across the globalised world, the polarisation between the right, left and the centre, the polarisation which we experience across the world, and India is no exception, is also marked by the growth of social media, the sense of intolerance among communities, the short attention spans which the younger generation has," Justice Chandrachud said..The CJI added that such polarisation was not just an effect of factors such as the free market or technology, but society's failure to focus on certain wider community goals. “This is not just an isolated phenomenon which is a product of say, free market and technology. There is something more profound that is going on. It is this ability of our societies to not realise that at the given point, the true worth of self-sacrifice in pursuit of a wider community goal of enabling those who are at the margins of our society, to realise a better future for themselves," CJI Chandrachud said..CJI Chandrachud made the observation while speaking at the 45th Jamnalal Bajaj Awards, which felicitated persons who promoted Gandhian values through community service and social development. .The Supreme Court judge made an appreciative note of the fact that even after 75 years since its independence, India has been able to sustain its democracy and self-governance. This was because of India's culture of reasoned dialogue, CJI Chandrachud said. “India is unique because we have been able to sustain democracy. It is the culture of reasoned dialogue. Whereas in many other nations, the power of violence and the power of guns has gotten the better of the rule of law, India has survived through all the tough times because of our ability to engage in a dialogue," he commented..The CJI added that as a society, it is also important for people to act firmly against injustice.“When we come face to face with injustice, (we should) not look at it as just a passing phase. For if we are not to deal with this (injustice) with a certain degree of resolve, there is a grave danger that it will envelop and perhaps submerge our societies,” Justice Chandrachud said.