Constitutional morality must rise above customs, traditions, social ills: Justice Govind Mathur
Mangaluru: “Judiciary is ultimately a tool of the system. We have to buckle up and stand against social ills,” said Justice Govind Mathur, former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, delivering the B.V. Kakkilaya Inspired Oration 2025 at Ravindra Kalabhavana, University College campus, Mangaluru, on Sunday. He stressed that communalism, casteism, gender discrimination, and glorification of practices like Sati, among other issues, continue to undermine the values enshrined in the Constitution.
The lecture, organised as part of the National Conference on Secular and Social Justice Movements in Indian Democracy, focused on the theme ‘Balancing Constitutional and Social Morality in the Indian Context’. Justice Mathur argued that democracy cannot be reduced to periodic elections alone. “Certain people sitting in Parliament deciding the fate of scores of citizens is not merely constitutional democracy,” he said, adding that true democracy must ensure justice, equality, and fraternity as envisioned in the Preamble.
He further pointed out how B.R. Ambedkar emphasised that the Constitution is not merely a legal document but “a vehicle of life,” cautioning that it would fail if its principles were not applied to everyday living.
Describing the present scenario as alarming, he said India is in ‘a very sorry state of affairs,’ where forces promoting social ills are continuously giving them the colour of custom and tradition.
“While an Indian may adhere to their own religion, they must also create space for the freedom of other religions. No custom or tradition can go against constitutional morality; it is constitutional morality that is supreme, and the very nature of democracy is rooted in it,” he added.
Reflecting on 79 years of independence, Justice Mathur questioned whether India has truly reached the stature envisioned by the framers of the Constitution. “Not at all,” he said, pointing out that practices like Sati are still glorified in parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. He reminded that the Directive Principles of State Policy urge the nation to develop a scientific temper.
Calling for urgent action, Justice Mathur requested citizens to “protect healthy traditions and finish social ills,” warning that courts alone cannot dismantle regressive practices disguised as customs. “We have crossed the time of social crisis, there is real danger now,” he said, stressing that public awareness and collective will are essential to preserve secularism and equality.
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Minor girl kidnapped and raped; main accused and two cafe owners held
Latur (PTI): A minor girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by an 18-year-old man in Latur, leading to the arrest of the main accused and owners of two cafes where the crime occurred on December 4, police said on Saturday.
Police traced the girl within hours of registering the complaint. The accused, identified as Rihan Gulab Shaikh, was arrested based on the girl's complaint. Two others are owners of two cafes where the crime occurred, police said.
Police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), POCSO Act, and the Prevention of Atrocities Act, an official said.
