'Constitution Is Not Static, It Can Be Amended': CJI

Eulogising the beauty of the Constitution of India, Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai said that the statute is not static, not too centric and not too federal, as envisioned by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. “Since we can’t anticipate what issues the coming generations will have, the Constitutional amendments can be made,” the CJI said while addressing the members of the state legislature on Tuesday.

“Such features of the Constitution keep the nation strong during peacetime or wartime,” the CJI said after he was felicitated on behalf of the state legislature by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.

The CJI quoted Ambedkar as stating that the Constitution has to be organic and keep evolving. “The three arms of the Indian Constitution – the executive, legislature and judiciary – have been able to fulfil their responsibilities after 75 years of the Constitution as desired by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar,” Gavai said.

“The Constitution gives rights to the executive, legislature and judiciary, and according to Dr Ambedkar, the judiciary has to work as a watchdog and custodian of citizens' rights,” the CJI added.

“I treat felicitation by the state legislature, where my father, late RS Gavai spent three decades assuming various posts, as blessings of the 12.87 crore people of the state,” Gavai said.

Speaking on the occasion, Ajit Pawar said, “When we can not do justice to someone due to some constraints, we rely on the judiciary.” LoP Danve said, “The CJI has proved that one can reach to the top post by attaining education in the mother tongue”.