India's Constitution Has Delivered On Socio-Economic Justice In 75 Years, Says CJI Gavai in Italy Address
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Nagpur: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai on Wednesday underscored the Constitution's transformative role in delivering socio-economic justice in India over the past 75 years, stating it continues to serve as a living document that empowers the marginalised and upholds equality.
Addressing legal professionals in Italy on the invitation of Chamber of International Lawyers, he delivered a keynote on "Role of the Constitution in Delivering Socio-Economic Justice".
The framers of the Constitution were deeply conscious of the imperative of socio-economic justice, Justice Gavai said, noting how the document emerged from the struggle for independence with a vision to correct centuries of entrenched inequality.
He emphasised that socio-economic justice was not just aspirational, but was pursued through constitutional mechanisms like the Directive Principles of State Policy, affirmative action, and judicial interpretation of rights.
Justice Gavai, who hails from Vidarbha, pointed to the First Constitutional Amendment of 1951 as a foundational moment when Parliament protected land reform laws and enabled reservations for Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
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"This amendment was a direct legislative response to ensure social justice and equitable distribution of opportunities," he said.
The CJI credited Supreme Court for expanding the reach of socio-economic rights through progressive interpretations of Article 21, which guarantees the right to life. "The Constitution has shown that law can be a tool for social change, a force for empowerment, and a protector of the vulnerable," he stated, citing landmark rulings such as Kesavananda Bharati, which enshrined the 'basic structure' doctrine to shield fundamental constitutional values.
Reflecting on India's early legislative interventions, he mentioned land and agrarian reform laws and affirmative action policies as tangible expressions of the Constitution's commitment to dismantling caste hierarchies and redistributing opportunity. "For countless landless and marginalised individuals, especially from oppressed castes and communities, these reforms represented the first real opportunity to secure economic independence and dignity," he added.
Justice Gavai offered a personal reflection on the Constitution's democratising force, stating, "I have often said, and I reiterate here today, that it is because of this constitutional vision of inclusion and transformation that I am standing before you as the CJI. Coming from a historically marginalised background, I am a product of the very constitutional ideals that sought to dismantle barriers of caste and exclusion.
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In the education sector, reservation policies for SCs, STs, and socially and educationally backward classes were highlighted as powerful tools for achieving substantive equality. He said such measures enabled generations from disadvantaged backgrounds to access professional and academic opportunities that were previously out of reach.
Concluding his speech, he invoked Martin Luther King Junior, saying the Constitution provided both "the vision and moral guidance" to continue bending the arc of the moral universe toward justice.
"It enabled us to create an inclusive democracy where law is not merely a command but a means to achieve dignity, equality, and justice for all," he affirmed.
# Key takeaways from CJI Gavai's speech in Italy
Indian Constitution is a transformative tool for socio-economic justice
Directive Principles and early amendments protected land reforms & reservations
Landmark rulings expanded socio-economic rights under Article 21
Land & agrarian reforms dismantled caste hierarchies, enabled economic dignity
Affirmative action in education created access for marginalised communities
Judiciary & Parliament work in tandem to enforce justice
Constitution is a moral and legal force for empowerment
Reiterated Constitution's success over 75 years of Indian democracy
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