Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 21: Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Thursday reaffirmed his commitment to secularism, saying that although he practices Buddhism, he respects all religions, including Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam, and others. He credited his father, a follower of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, for instilling in him the values of religious tolerance and respect for all faiths.

“These values were part of my upbringing. Whenever my father visited different places for political functions, he respected all religious sites—be it a Dargah or a Gurudwara. I have been brought up that way,” CJI Gavai said during his farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Advocates on Records Association (SCAORA) at Court No. 1.

Although his official retirement is on November 23, CJI Gavai’s last working day at the Court will be Friday, November 21, as the top court is closed over the weekend. Reflecting on his judicial journey spanning over two decades, he said, “Whatever I am today is because of this institution of the judiciary. I must pay my gratitude to it.”

CJI Gavai traced his journey from studying in a municipal school to becoming the country’s top judge to the guiding principles of the Constitution of India—justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. He acknowledged both his six-month tenure as Chief Justice and six-and-a-half years as a Supreme Court judge as the product of the institution’s collective strength.

Stressing the importance of collaboration, he said, “The Supreme Court should never be centred around one individual, including the Chief Justice. Decisions must be taken collectively with the full court. The functioning of the judiciary depends on all stakeholders—judges, the bar, registry, and staff.”

He also highlighted the need for close engagement with bodies like the SCBA and SCAORA, particularly on matters concerning the bar, to ensure the smooth functioning of the judiciary.