In a powerful and candid address that blended reverence for the Constitution with an urgent call for reform, Vice President of India delivered a keynote speech during the launch of a seminal book on the Indian Constitution, edited by Senior Advocate Vijay Hansaria. The event, attended by sitting and retired Supreme Court judges, senior advocates, legal scholars, and law students, served as a moment of both celebration and reckoning for the judiciary and legal fraternity.
Referring to the presence of the Chief Justice of India, and a host of judicial dignitaries including Justice Rajesh Bindal, Attorney General C. R. Venkatramani, and Dr. B. S. Chauhan, the Vice President emphasized the sanctity of constitutional protocol, recalling his own experience with the lack of public acknowledgment in official ceremonies. “We must honour positions, not individuals,” he said, praising the Chief Justice for reminding the system of this critical distinction.
A Living Constitution, and a Timeless Warning
The newly launched book, which features the original text of the Constitution adorned with miniature paintings by Nandlal Bose and calligraphy by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, was described as a necessary resource for students, judges, and lawmakers alike. “This book is not just reference—it’s a resurrection of India’s founding spirit,” he said, urging every Member of Parliament to keep a copy in their hands.
Reflecting on the Constitution’s evolution, he observed: “The founding members missed something—we now see constant disruption and disturbance in Parliament. It’s time we emulate their spirit of debate, dialogue, and deliberation.”
Judicial Integrity Under Scrutiny
Addressing recent controversies involving the judiciary—including an unreported incident involving a judge’s residence and alleged improprieties—the Vice President didn’t mince words. “Two months have passed, and the nation still waits for answers,” he said. “Where there is Dharma, there must be victory. Where there is truth, it must prevail.”
He drew attention to the Veeraswami Judgment (1991) which, he noted, had effectively placed judges beyond the reach of investigation without executive clearance—an architecture he referred to as “judicial legerdemain” that now needed urgent revisitation.
Call for Transparent Mechanism
“The judiciary must be protected—not made vulnerable,” he insisted, but added that the system needs an in-house regulatory mechanism that is transparent, independent, and free of peer shielding. “We must treat no institution as above accountability. Each must respect constitutional boundaries, as envisioned by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.”
A Moment for National Introspection
Describing himself as a “foot soldier of the judiciary”, the Vice President stressed that his comments were not personal, but institutional. “If we fail to restore faith through forensic, scientific, and independent investigation, we risk compromising the very soul of Indian democracy,” he concluded, to a standing ovation.
The event, held in Delhi, was not just a launch of a book—it became a launchpad for a national dialogue on judicial integrity, transparency, and the constitutional spirit of checks and balances. As the Vice President said in closing: “Our Constitution is not just a document. It’s a duty.”
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