Constitution Will 'Perish' If India's Demographic Profile Changes; Traditions And Dharma Key To Its Survival: Madras HC Justice

India's Constitution could "perish" if the country's demographic profile, which existed at the time of drafting the document, is changed, Madras High Court Justice G R Swaminathan has warned.

Justice Swaminathan, while speaking at a private book launch on 2 April, said that maintaining demographic profile, that existed during the Constitution's drafting, unaltered was crucial.

"Constitution is the ultimate for everyone. If the Constitution has to remain the same, the demographic profile that existed at the time of its (the Constitution's) formation must remain unaltered," Justice Swaminathan was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench.

"Only if the demographic profile remains the same, will the Constitution remain the same. If the demographic profile changes, the Constitution will perish," he added.

Justice Swaminathan further noted that Indian tradition and Dharma are key to Constitution's survival.

"The Constitution will continue to exist as long as the people who are under the Indian tradition and dharma remain so," the Madras HC Justice said.

"Being a judge, I don't want to say anything more. Hope you understand," he said.

Delivering his speech in Tamil, Justice Swaminathan emphasised citizen's duty to be aware of dangers the society was facing.

He cited Tamil saint Andal to stress the need for citizens to recognize the perils their community was confronting.

Justice Swaminathan noted that people who claim to love Tamil often have little knowledge of the language.

He shared a story about a visitor who claimed to be fond of Tamil language and culture, but failed to recite even two lines from a classic Tamil text when asked to do so.