Reservation a beacon of hope to weed out caste inequalities: Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud

Caste system is rooted not just in historical inequalities but also in complex realities of today and inherent complexities in law perpetuate such divisions in the society, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said on Saturday..Caste continues to hold influence and expands to economic opportunities for difference caste groups, the CJI opined.Reservation or affirmative action stands as a beacon of hope to weed out caste based inequalities, he stressed."We must acknowledge the inherent complexities in law which perpetuate inequalities. We must broaden our perspectives. The notion of popular sovereignty must include plurality at its core. The intricate caste system is rooted not just in historical inequalities but complex realities of today. Affirmative action emerges as transformative action. It acts as a beacon of hope to weed out age-old caste inequalities," he stated.CJI Chandrachud was delivering the keynote address on the topic 'Identity, the Individual and the State: New Paths to Liberty' at the 36th LawAsia conference in Bengaluru..The CJI in his speech also touched upon how advocates are confronted with the intersection of liberty, identity and the role of State to limit the same.He said that it is important to understand the limitations of the historical understanding of liberty as being that of mere absence of State interference in individual actions and decisions.He explained this by giving the example of tribal communities for whom the idea of liberty is rooted in territoriality, and whose rights to governance over their lands encapsulates their assertions in the face of discrimination.The CJI also stated that no knowledge can be neutral or objective."No knowledge is ideologically neutral and is contingent on objects of power. We see our own transforming idea of liberty."For the removal of underlying systemic discriminations in our society, we need to ensure that people are not boxed into different identities, he said. The CJI also highlighted the difficulties faced by disabled persons in India."People with disabilities are forced to get a certificate for entitlements. This has led to problem of the State devising benchmarks, leading many to lose out [on admissions, benefits/schemes] rather than fixing our overall physical infrastructure. It has led to notion that they need rescue rather than us needing to introspect," he said.Only removal of systemic barriers can end deprivation of liberty, he said. "People like me who wear glasses are not considered disabled as glasses are widely available. No deprivation of life opportunities for such people. It is our duty to remember liberty as removal of systemic barriers and inequalities. Self identities should become benign distinctions that do not lead to discrimination.".Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale also spoke on the occasion."The digital landscape had redefined age of lawyering and restructured its dynamics. In the digital age the notion of time and space has undergone a profound shift. It requires us to embrace continuous learning. It is our responsibility to shape a digital landscape where rule of law is the cornerstone", he said..[Watch Conference]