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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1,850 missing mobile phones recovered as Delhi Police focusses on victim-centric policing
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Police has recovered 1,850 stolen and lost mobile phones worth around Rs 4 crore in past 40 days under "Mission Reconnect", an initiative aimed at returning phones to their rightful owners in outernorth Delhi, an official said on Saturday.
The recovered phones were traced from different parts of the country, including remote areas, through technical surveillance and sustained field operations, police said, adding that the devices were handed over to their owners during a programme at the Sports Ground, New Police Lines, Kingsway Camp.
The initiative focused on a victim-centric approach and aimed at strengthening public trust through proactive policing and coordinated efforts across states, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outernorth) Hareshwar Swami said.
As part of the programme, teams performed 'nukkad nataks' and screened awareness videos on cybercrime, drug abuse prevention, and senior citizen safety, sensitising the public about digital frauds and safety measures, officials said.
The initiative combines technology, investigation and community participation to ensure recovery of lost property and reconnect citizens with their valuables, they added.
