Legal
Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud.
In underscoring the crucial role of affirmative action in rectifying "historical injustices," Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud, has emphasised the need to reject arguments put forth by "caste elites" who contend that the provision of affirmative action negates the existence of underlying structural discrimination.
Addressing the audience during his keynote speech at the sixth international conference on the 'Unfinished Legacy of Dr. B R Ambedkar' at Brandeis University in Massachusetts, the CJI articulated the importance of not succumbing to binary narratives.
He urged the dismissal of claims that affirmative action alone can resolve the deeply entrenched issues surrounding caste inequalities, even when it achieves modest successes.
Chandrachud contextualised this discussion within a broader historical perspective, noting that marginalised groups have endured grave injustices throughout history.
He cited examples such as the transatlantic slave trade, the displacement of Native Americans, caste-based inequalities in India, as well as the systemic oppression faced by women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and minority communities.
He asserted that addressing and redressing historical wrongs should be a fundamental objective of any constitutional system.
Furthermore, he emphasised that while representation is a significant means to this end, it is not the sole solution.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest