As world changes, judiciary needs to keep pace with change in expectations: Justice Kaul
New Delhi: Just as the world is changing, the judiciary has to keep pace with the change in the expectations of society and needs of the vulnerable while also playing the role of a powerful, stabilising and moderating influence, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said on Sunday.
Justice Kaul was delivering the vote of thanks at the culmination of the International Judicial Conference, 2020 held at the Supreme Court which was attended by Chief Justices and Judges from various countries.
He said judiciaries the world over play a common role in social transformation, adapting to the changing nature of developments in the face of information and communication technology, building diversity and eliminating discrimination.
"Just as the world is changing, the judiciary has to use its synergy and imagination in keeping pace with the changing expectations. The judicial system has to be bolstered to make the judiciary resilient and dynamic in the true sense of the word, to fulfil the role of a powerful, stabilizing and moderating influence.
"Rule of law can be established with public trust and the judiciary cannot be oblivious to changes in the society and to needs of the most vulnerable," Justice Kaul said.
Referring to some of the topics like gender justice which were discussed in the conference, he said there was a "need to weed out entrenched prejudices" by way of progressive pronouncements like the recent Supreme Court ruling to grant permanent commission and command postings to women in the Indian armed forces.
Justice Kaul further said the problem of remaining objective in the face of populism needs considerable debate as "the majority view is normally reflected by the government of the day and it is the judiciary which plays the balancing act".
"The role of the judiciary, thus, may often become anti-majoritarian," he added.
Referring to the conflict between development and environment protection which often requires the judiciary to step into the executive's domain, he said, "If we mess with nature, the nature messes with us in a ruthless manner".
In his vote of thanks, Justice Kaul also paid tribute to President Ram Nath Kovind saying "Rashtrapati ji's rise to the highest office of the land is a reflection of the aspiring India, where, through hard-work and dint of effort, people rise to occupy their rightful positions in the social and cultural milieu of the country".
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Will vacate one of two assembly seats won in 10 days: BJP''s Suvendu
Kolkata (PTI): BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur and secured Nandigram for three times in a row in the recent assembly polls, said on Wednesday that he would vacate one of the two constituencies within 10 days.
Adhikari also asserted that the party's central leadership would decide which constituency he would retain.
"I will vacate one seat within 10 days. The party will decide which one I retain. I will not forget my responsibility towards the people of Bhabanipur and Nandigram," he said.
Adhikari on Monday defeated Banerjee in Bhabanipur by over 15,000 votes, puncturing what was long seen as her safest political refuge and delivering a decisive psychological blow to the TMC, amid a sweeping BJP surge across West Bengal.
Addressing party workers and supporters in Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district, the BJP leader appealed to them not to take out victory processions immediately and instead maintain peace.
"Do not take out victory rallies now. Maintain peace and discipline. Celebrate after May 9, after taking permission," he told party workers.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Wednesday announced that the oath-taking ceremony of the new government will be held on May 9 at Brigade Parade Ground.
Referring to alleged attacks on BJP workers during the TMC regime, Adhikari said he would not forget the “atrocities" faced by them and assured them of taking appropriate action against perpetrators through legal processes.
"I was part of the 2011 ‘poribartan’ (change), and now I am part of the real change. I offer my gratitude to the people of Nandigram," Adhikari said.
He was referring to the TMC's victory in 2011 when the Mamata Banerjee party dismantled the 34-year Left Front regime in the state.
Adhikari offered prayers at a Hanuman statue in Nandigram and remembered the BJP workers, who had died in political violence.
"We will work in such a way that the BJP government in Bengal stays for 100 years," he said, expressing hope that the BJP’s vote share in the state would rise from the current 46 per cent to 60 per cent in future elections.
The BJP leader also assured residents of Nandigram of improved drinking water supply and better hospital and education infrastructure.
