India united, strong due to statute: Justice Gavai

NEW DELHI: It is the Constitution which kept India united, strong and stable in the last 75 years despite facing turbulent times during external aggressions and internal disturbances, senior-most judge of Supreme Court Justice B R Gavai said on Monday while showering praise on B R Ambedkar , the architect of the Constitution, reports Amit Anand Choudhary.

Justice Gavai, who will take over as CJI next month, said the Constitution paved the way for upliftment of women and oppressed sections of society and brought them into the national mainstream which was manifested in Droupadi Murmu, a Scheduled Tribe woman, becoming President, and Narendra Modi, despite coming from a humble background and belonging to the backward classes, assuming the office of PM.

Justice Gavai said many neighbouring countries failed but India stood the test of time because of the Constitution and landmark SC verdicts upholding the vision of its makers in changing times. "When we celebrate the 134th birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar, whose initial entry in the Constituent Assembly was only to protect interests of the Scheduled Castes, the oppressed and downtrodden, we, as a country, have recognised his invaluable contribution in presenting to this country a Constitution which has not just stood the test of time for the last 75 years, but it is this Constitution that has kept India strong, stable and united," Justice Gavai said. "Though in the last 75 years, the country has faced various external aggressions and internal disturbances, the country remained united and strong."