In a historic ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, marking the first time someone from Haryana has reached the pinnacle of India's judiciary.
A Ceremony Steeped in Emotion and History
President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Justice Kant in the majestic Ashoka Hall, with the ceremony witnessing several emotional moments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Cabinet colleagues, Vice-President, and judges from the Supreme Court and high courts were present to witness this significant transition in India's judicial leadership.
The new CJI took his oath in the name of God, following which outgoing Chief Justice B R Gavai gave his successor a warm, heartfelt hug. In a symbolic gesture of transition, while Justice Gavai had arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the CJI's official vehicle, he returned home in a car provided by the presidential estate.
Homecoming: Guests from Humble Beginnings
What made this oath ceremony particularly special was the unprecedented gathering of 235 guests personally invited by Justice Kant, representing the largest-ever guest list for a CJI's swearing-in ceremony. The guest list reflected the judge's deep connection to his roots and his commitment to relationships nurtured since his early days.
Among the distinguished attendees were nonagenarians and octogenarians who had watched Justice Kant play as a boy on the dusty tracks of Petwar, a remote village in Hisar district. These village elders, along with his former teachers from school and college, formed an emotional entourage that witnessed their 'boy' ascending to the highest judicial office in the country.
Two prominent figures from Kant's home state - Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini and former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar - were seated in the front row, underscoring the significance of this appointment for the state.
Honoring Mentors and Family Traditions
The ceremony was marked by touching gestures of respect towards his mentors. Justice Kant touched the feet of his elders and teachers both before and after taking the oath, demonstrating his humility and reverence for those who shaped his journey.
Usha Dahiya, now 85, who had taught Justice Kant English during his undergraduate course at Government College in Hisar, was among the special guests. Interestingly, Hisar was the first town the future CJI ever visited, making his connection with the city and his alma mater particularly meaningful.
The guest list also included two law professors - Ranvir Singh, the founding vice-chancellor of National Law University Delhi, and K P S Mahalwar, who currently teaches at NLUD. Both had taught Justice Kant law when he was a student at Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak, where he obtained his law degree in 1984.
While Justice Kant's parents are no longer alive, his nonagenarian father-in-law and octogenarian mother-in-law were present to share this proud moment. The ceremony also saw scores of his late father's friends, childhood companions, and relatives, many of whom were experiencing the grandeur of Rashtrapati Bhavan for the first time.
Justice Kant acknowledged the presidential estate's hospitality, noting that Rashtrapati Bhavan had kindly arranged seating facilities for all his guests. The event stood as a powerful testament to how relationships built decades ago in India's hinterlands can withstand the test of time and celebrate moments of national significance together.
