Changing nature of observance through The Hindu’s eyes (1979-2024) Premium

From a judicial event to a platform for face-off between the judiciary and executive, Constitution Day has changed since 1979

Story so far: India celebrated its 75th year of adoption of its Constitution on Tuesday (November 26, 2024) with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint session of parliament. While the Constitution of India hits its diamond jubilee this year, event commemorating is as ‘Constitution Day’ was started only in 2015. Prior to this, it was called ‘National Law Day’ — first initiated by former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Laxmi Mall Singhvi in 1979. 

“The Indian Constitution is a live, progressive document,” said Ms. Murmu adding, “I urge all citizens to imbibe the constitutional ideals into their behaviour and do their fundamental duties, and work towards achieving the national goal of a developed India by 2047.” She also listed several achievements of the government through the years for easing lives of poor, women, working-class etc. 

On the other hand, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to the Constituent Assembly, which framed the Constitution, reiterating his resolve to protect it. “The Constitution is a powerful tool to protect the poorest and most vulnerable sections of society. The stronger it is, the stronger our country will be,” posted Mr. Gandhi on X. 

Kicking off a new tradition in 1979, former Lok Sabha member and advocate Dr. Singhvi, who presided over the SCBA then, founded the idea of ‘Law Day’ to mark the adoption of the Constitution . At the inaugural event, he espoused the idea of observing Law Day not just by the Supreme Court and High Court bar associations, judges and staff, but also by every district and mofussil (provinces) having a group of lawyers and judges. 

Highlighting the significance of the day, Mr. Singhvi said that Law Day must be used by the legal community to find ways to improve the judicial system, to strengthen the lawyer-judge relationship, promote judicial independence, legal freedom and instill confidence of the system in the public. 

Lamenting at inadequate emoluments and conditions of judges and lawyers, he said, “The Bar must educate public opinion on the issues and pressure Government and legislatures in these matters”. Then Chief Justice of India (CJI) Y.V. Chandrachud said that the Constitution required a second look and the judicial process could be made both “swift and just” with determination and imagination by breaking away from indifference and ancient prejudices. 

Through the years of his tenure as CJI, Justice Chandrachud, who presided over the annual ‘Law Day’ celebrations, asserted on the corrective role the Supreme Court played against excessive powers, protection of minorities, inadequacy of judges and the staggering cases pending with the Court. He also voiced his grievances with the Centre involving transfer of High Court judges, inadequate salaries and executive overreach.