India Tomorrow
New Delhi, Dec 1: “The silence of the lawmen does more harm to the society than the violence of the laymen”, was the eloquent message from Justice Kurian Joseph of Supreme Court in his farewell speech to the members of the legal fraternity here on Thursday.
Without naming any lawmaker, politician of political party, Justice Joseph tried to highlight one of the big grievances raised by common people about their political representatives, particularly those sitting at high positions. It has been observed that senior political leaders, including those in the government, maintain deafening silence when they are required to speak but get involved in duets on petty issues.
“That the Constitution is meant for everyone- the young and the old, the rich and the poor, women and children, and the marginalised- and that the compassion of the court is not charity but the bounden duty of a constitutional judge”, Justice Joseph was quoted as saying by LiveLaw.in. He retired on Nov 29 after severing at the apex court about five years and delivering over 1000 judgments.
He regarded the Constitution as the force that brings about unity in the absence of uniformity of culture, language, religion and philosophy and allows the diversity in the country to thrive without there being social fragmentation.
Several dignitaries including Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi also spoke on the occasion.
Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said he is “afraid” and “apprehensive” about the future of the higher judiciary, with able judges, the likes of Justice Joseph, retiring, and the younger talent at the bar evading the judiciary.
Justice Joseph was among the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court who, in an unprecedented move, went to public in January this year, complaining against the administration of the apex court and alleged intervention of the government in the judiciary.
