Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Wednesday underscored the pivotal role of the legal profession in safeguarding constitutional values, calling members of the Bar “torchbearers” who guide courts in fulfilling their mandate to uphold the rule of law.
Speaking at a Constitution Day ceremony organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, the CJI said the judiciary has always recognised the Bar’s central place in strengthening democratic institutions and protecting the sanctity of the Constitution.
“When we celebrate the pivotal moment when the people of India gifted unto themselves their most fundamental covenant, I must emphasise that the Bar occupies an indispensable place in fortifying the rule of law and upholding the sanctity of our Constitution,” he said.
He added that if courts are regarded as sentinels of the Constitution, lawyers are the ones who illuminate the path. “They help us discharge our solemn duty with clarity and conviction,” Justice Kant said.
The CJI spoke at length about what he described as “invisible victims” of the justice system — individuals who remain unseen due to poverty, social exclusion or lack of legal access. He stressed that the Bar has a unique ability to rescue such individuals from systemic hardship.
“Your perspectives matter profoundly, and the seriousness with which you engage in your craft directly influences the transformation of our constitutional future,” he told the gathering.
He urged lawyers to take “purposeful strides” to advance constitutional ideals, not just through courtroom advocacy but through meaningful legal aid and a commitment to the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who also addressed the gathering, said the Constitution’s design allows all three branches of the state — the judiciary, the executive and the legislature — to remain independent while maintaining internal checks and balances.
“If the executive does something which is in conflict with the Constitution, the judiciary has supremacy. But eventually no organ is supreme or sovereign; it is only the Constitution which is supreme and sovereign,” Mehta said.
He added that whenever any wing of the state has strayed from constitutional morality, the judiciary has stepped in to ensure that governance remains anchored to the vision of the framers.
Supreme Court Bar Association president Vikas Singh highlighted the need for a robust justice system built on strong law-making, effective justice delivery and meaningful access for the common person.
He flagged the rising influence of black money in elections and the entry of individuals with criminal backgrounds into Parliament. “That is an area we need to introspect and see what best can be done to ensure that the right people get elected,” he said.
Singh also expressed concern about the “appalling” infrastructure in lower courts and the urgent need to improve training for judicial officers.
Constitution Day is observed every year on November 26 to mark the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly in 1949. The day was earlier commemorated as Law Day until it was formally renamed in 2015.
