The outgoing Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana on Friday said that the end of his tenure just marks the end of his constitutional assignment but he will try to fulfil the constitutional vows till his last breath.
“The end of my tenure just marks the end of my constitutional assignment, however, I shall fulfil the constitutional vows till my last breath,” CJI Ramana said during a farewell function organised in his honour. The farewell function was organised by Supreme Court Bar Association.
During his speech, CJI Ramana said that he wants to be remembered as a Judge who heard the senior and the junior alike and wanted his name to be etched on the hearts of the people through his conduct and behaviour, rather than case law and journals.
“As a Judge, I always wanted my name to be etched on the hearts of the people through my conduct and behaviour, rather than case law and journals. I want to remain in those vibrant hearts which will give me warmth and keep me going forever. I have seen the flow of emotions in Courtroom No. 1 this morning,” CJI said.
CJI referred to emotions as a reflection of the strong sense of belongingness with the institution and said that he was touched by the display of emotions in particular by senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Dushyant Dave.
“I may be judged as one who meticulously followed the rules of the game and did not trespass into provinces forbidden. More importantly, as one who recognized preliminarily the moral power of a Judge,” he said.
CJI also mentioned his choice of travelling across the country almost every weekend to speak to the public through various events and said that there is a popular perception that the Indian judiciary was alien and quite distant from the general public.
“My experience so far has convinced me that in spite of fulfilling its Constitutional mandate, the judiciary does not find adequate reflections in the media, thereby depriving the people of knowledge about the Courts and the Constitution,” he said and expressed his feeling that being a judge, his Constitutional duty to dispel these notions and bring the Court closer to the people, by way of generating awareness and building confidence among people about the judiciary.
“From what I get to hear from the common people during my visits, I am happy to note that people are able to engage with me on my subject in their language. I have actively tried to promote a sense of belongingness of the people with the system,” he said.
CJI Ramana said that his constant endeavour was to make the people aware, not just about their rights and obligations, but also about the Constitutional scheme and democratic values and institutions.
“As part of my public speaking engagements, I have focused on certain subjects of institutional importance.