Senior Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant has lauded Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri for their profound impact on humanity, particularly their emphasis on self-reliance, justice, and service to others. Speaking at a Supreme Court function commemorating their birth anniversaries, Justice Kant emphasized how their philosophies continue to offer enduring guidance for the nation.
Justice Kant highlighted Gandhi's focus on villages, self-reliance, and simple living, which allowed him to connect with and represent the majority of Indians. Gandhi gave a voice to the rural masses in the larger political narrative and reinforced a unified national identity. Justice Kant noted Gandhi's ability to unite millions of Indians from diverse backgrounds, galvanizing a widespread national movement that directly challenged British rule. He stated that Gandhi’s vision of freedom extended beyond political sovereignty, encompassing social justice and equality, especially for the marginalized. According to Justice Kant, true freedom, for Gandhi, was measured by the dignity accorded to the most vulnerable and the assurance of justice to those at the margins of society.
Furthermore, Justice Kant emphasized Gandhi's belief in the inherent goodness of humanity, which transformed conflict into an opportunity for harmony. He also noted that Gandhi, despite being trained in law, believed in conflict resolution that transcended adversarial methods, appealing to the shared interests of disputants. Justice Kant described visiting Gandhi's statue as filling him with a special sense of calmness and reflection, embodying his teachings of truth and non-violence.
In addition to Gandhi, Justice Surya Kant paid tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri, recognizing his adoption of Gandhian values in governance. He highlighted Shastri's humility, integrity, and spirit of service, noting that Shastri carried Gandhian values into the highest offices of public life. Justice Kant recalled Shastri's famous slogan, "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan," as a timeless affirmation of patriotism, honoring both soldiers and farmers. He also noted that Shastri's leadership mirrored Gandhi's vision that justice and dignity must extend to every household and field.
Justice Kant emphasized the commonality between Gandhi and Shastri, highlighting their unwavering devotion to justice as the bedrock of public life. He said that Shastri translated Gandhi's moral vision into the practice of governance through simplicity, integrity and inclusiveness.
Justice Kant urged that their shared ethos of justice, humility, and selfless service should be seen as a living call to action, inspiring people to uphold their principles in the ongoing journey of democracy. He stressed that their legacy embodies a shared devotion to justice, humility, and service. Justice Kant is set to become the Chief Justice of India on November 24.
