As India celebrates its 75th year of Independence, this year’s Constitution Day gains special significance. More so because the basic premise of the Constitution is under challenge. Eminent journalist, JP movement veteran, Constitution expert and President of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, RAM BAHADUR RAI spoke to SANJAY RAMAN SINHA on the constitutional challenges.
On the sidelines of Constitution Day celebrations in Parliament on November 26, 2021, which the Opposition parties boycotted, the attention somehow turned to the role of the judiciary in the Indian polity. Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, in his address during the opening ceremony of the Constitution Day function organised on the same day by the Supreme Court registry, stated that lakshman rekha drawn by the Constitution is sacrosanct. But there are times when courts are compelled to pay attention to unresolved grievances in the interest of justice.
Reiterating parts of his speech on Friday where he said even well-informed sections of society are unaware of the importance of the Constitution, Justice Ramana said there is still a need to spread more understanding about the Constitution.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the real honour of the Constitution of India lies in the understanding of the problems of the crores of people without toilets, water and electricity and to make their lives easier.