On the occasion of Constitution Day, the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court delivered a powerful message, urging for the foundational document of India to become a living, breathing part of the nation's everyday consciousness.
Constitution as a Living Promise
Speaking at an event held at the High Court in Hyderabad on Wednesday, Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh articulated a vision far beyond the ceremonial observance of the day. He emphasized that the true guidance of the Indian Constitution is realized only when it permeates the daily awareness of every citizen, moving decisively away from being a relic confined to the shelves of libraries and institutions.
He passionately stated that the Constitution must find its way into every Indian home. However, he clarified that this is not merely about possessing a physical copy to be preserved. Instead, it must be embraced as a promise to be protected—a dynamic set of ideals that actively shapes the nation's character.
A Collective Responsibility for Safeguarding Democracy
The Chief Justice elaborated that this mission is not the sole burden of the judiciary. He made it clear that the duty to protect the Constitution's integrity does not rest exclusively with the legislature or the executive either. It is a shared, national endeavour.
The responsibility lies equally with:
- Educators who are tasked with imparting constitutional values to the next generation.
- Administrators on the ground who implement its principles in governance.
- The media, which plays a crucial role in shaping public understanding and discourse.
- Civil society organizations that amplify the voices of the people and their rights.
- Families, who are the first teachers of respect, tolerance, and morality.
- And most importantly, every citizen, who must live by 'constitutional morality' in their daily choices and interactions.
Understanding Freedoms and Duties
Justice Singh further stressed that for the Constitution's values to be protected from erosion, every individual must comprehend both the freedoms it grants and the responsibilities it entails. He asserted that only when this dual understanding is widespread can society collectively ensure that the constitutional guarantees remain robust and effective for the generations to come.
His address served as a poignant reminder that the strength of the Indian democracy hinges on this deep, personal connection between its people and the supreme law of the land.
