Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, recently honored by the Maharashtra legislature, asserted that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar championed the Constitution's supremacy and a judiciary free from executive meddling. Gavai called the Constitution a "bloodless revolution" and noted that its three branches have worked for socio-economic equality over 75 years
-1751981928144_d.png "India's chief justice underscores constitutional supremacy and equality")
Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was felicitated at the Maharashtra Legislature's Monsoon Session 2025 at Vidhan Bhavan, Mumbai. Pic/Sameer Abedi
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, speaking in Mumbai on Tuesday, asserted that Dr B R Ambedkar championed the supremacy of the Constitution and advocated for a judiciary free from executive interference, reported news agency PTI.
Following his felicitation by the Maharashtra legislature upon his elevation to the top judicial post, CJI Gavai spoke on the Indian Constitution, describing it as a "weapon of bloodless revolution" for the country.
He further stated that the Judiciary, Executive, and Legislature have collaborated to achieve socio-economic equality in India over the past 75 years. As the Constitution approaches its centenary, he expressed his satisfaction at having been part of the judicial process, reported PTI.
Citing Ambedkar, Gavai stated that "we all believe in the supremacy of the Constitution which will keep the country united during peace and war." In his address, delivered after both houses of the Maharashtra legislature unanimously passed resolutions congratulating him, the Chief Justice emphasised that the Constitution grants rights to its three wings – Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary – and that, according to Ambedkar, the judiciary's role is to act as a watchdog and custodian of citizens' rights.
He also reiterated Ambedkar's view that the judiciary should be free from executive interference.
The CJI also quoted Ambedkar's belief that the Constitution "cannot be static, it has to be organic and keep evolving." This adaptability, he explained, allows for amendments because the problems of future generations cannot be anticipated by the current one.
Gavai highlighted that the Constitution has been instrumental in bringing women and backward communities into the national mainstream. He cited examples such as India having a woman prime minister, two female presidents, two presidents from backward communities (K R Narayanan and Ram Nath Kovind), and several Lok Sabha Speakers (G M C Balayogi and Meira Kumar), along with numerous members of Backward Classes serving as chief secretaries and DGPs in various states.
"Ambedkar was of the view that fundamental rights are of no use without remedies. Federalism was flexible and not rigid. The Constitution separated powers of all the three wings -- legislature, executive and judiciary. It was the judiciary's role to ensure that laws are within the framework of the Constitution. All three arms of democracy believed in the supremacy of the Constitution," Gavai further elaborated.
He also discussed the interrelation of equality, liberty, and fraternity. "If there is only equality...no one will like to excel. If there is only liberty, it will be the survival of the fittest. Fraternity acts as a policeman where both equality and liberty can act together," he explained.
CJI Gavai expressed being "overwhelmed" by the felicitation from the Maharashtra legislature, a sentiment deeply rooted in his father R S Gavai's long association with the state legislative council for over 30 years. PTI reported that R S Gavai, a Republican Party of India (RPI) leader, had served as the chairperson of the Maharashtra legislative council and as governor of Bihar, Sikkim, and Kerala.
Earlier in the day, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar moved a motion to congratulate Gavai in the lower house, calling his elevation as CJI "a matter of pride for Maharashtra." The motion was adopted unanimously. A similar congratulatory motion was subsequently moved by chairperson Ram Shinde in the state legislative council and also passed unanimously, PTI reported. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis felicitated CJI Gavai on behalf of the legislature during a ceremony held in the central hall.
Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai became an additional judge of the Bombay High Court on November 14, 2003. He was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14, succeeding Sanjiv Khanna.
(With inputs from PTI)
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