Without Fundamental Rights, we would forever be insecure, CJI TS Thakur

The Apex Court yesterday saw much fanfare as the Supreme Court Bar Association celebrated the Constitution Day within its premises. Earlier referred to as the Law Day, it was later renamed as the Constitution Day on the suggestions of members of the Bar..As has become customary, the event began with an opening address by SCBA Vice President Ajit Kumar Sinha, who chose to take a rather nostalgic walk down the history lane, delving into the trials and tribulations that surrounded the enactment of the Constitution..Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi set the tone for the event when he mentioned that the delicate balance of the Constitution was disturbed in the 1970’s. Judges spent the 1980’s and the subsequent decades trying to restore the balance, but it has not completely been restored yet..Union Minister for Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad addressed the gathering by an ode to the longevity of the Constitution by saying,.“People who said that India was not fit for democracy have been proven wrong by the sheer ethos of this document. It is a document seeking to metamorphose India with its profound cultural heritage, into a modern economy.”.Glimpses of his life as a former lawyer were evident as he mentioned that he was very proud of the judiciary as the most ferocious upholder of individual freedom. In fact, this promoted SCBA Secretary Gaurav Bhatia to note that Prasad had spoken more like a lawyer than a politician..When CJI TS Thakur was called to the dais, his speech began on a surprising note. Addressing the audience in impeccable Hindi, he said,.“On this day, we remember the basic values given by the Constitution, and the trials and tribulations faced by the Constitution framers. .Why is our Constitution different? .This Country is not an ordinary country; it is not a small nation. It has guaranteed fundamental rights, without which you forever would be insecure.”.He also cautioned the legislature to refrain from crossing its constitutional limits, saying,.“Make laws within the framework guaranteed by the Constitution. Over reach is barred by the line of demarcation set out by the Constitution.”.The quip of course, was not lost on the Union Minister who laughingly shook his head..The event also saw Justice Dipak Misra and retired Supreme Court judge Anil Dave in attendance. The ceremony concluded with a few felicitations. Several members of the Bar, including Senior Advocate PH Parekh were acknowledged for completing 50 years at the Bar. In addition, other members, including Senior Advocate Ram Jethmalani, were also lauded for publishing books of importance to the legal fraternity.