“However bad a Constitution may be, it may turn out to be good if those responsible for its functioning happen to be a “good lot,” Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud cited Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s concept of constitutionalism during a keynote address at the Sixth International Conference on the ‘Unfinished Legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’ at Brandeis University in the US. He praised Ambedkar’s idea of constitutionalism for its role in dismantling the deeply rooted caste hierarchy in India and promoting the social, economic, and political empowerment of marginalized groups.
The CJI emphasized that Ambedkar’s legacy continues to shape modern India’s constitutional values and serves as a guiding light for social reform and justice for all. He quoted Ambedkar’s statement that the quality of a constitution depends on the individuals responsible for its implementation, suggesting that even a flawed constitution can succeed if those implementing it are principled. During his visit to the US, Chief Justice Chandrachud also received the ‘Award for Global Leadership’ from the Center on the Legal Profession at Harvard Law School. The award was announced on January 11, 2023, in an online ceremony.