Democracy has taken roots in India because of its Constitution and strong judiciary, said former judge of Orissa High Court Justice AS Naidu said on Thursday.
“India’s Constitution is one of the best in the world and its judiciary unbiased and strong. This has helped the country remain strong in spite of its diversity,” he observed at legal Spectra- 2015, the 3rd All India legal School Meet organised by the SOA University.
The fact that the Indian Constitution has undergone many amendments only points to the fact that the Constitution is living and not static, he said, adding that several landmark judgements of the Supreme Court have helped the country’s thought process.
Advocate General Surya Prasad Mishra and Utkal University of Culture Vice-Chancellor Prof Debendranath Jena attended the programme as guests of honour. Former OUAT Vice-Chancellor Prof DP Ray of presided.
Students representing ten law schools from across the country are participating in the four-day meet.
Justice Naidu referred to ten landmark judgements of the apex court which included the Keshavananda Bharati case, the Shahbano case and the Indira Sawhney case saying they redefined the path that India needed to pursue. law students must be aware of such judgements, he said.
The Keshavananda Bharati judgement, he said, held that the Parliament can amend any part of the Constitution as long as it does not alter the basic structure of the Constitution. In the Shahbano case, the court awarded alimony to a Muslim woman after divorce even when the Personal law was against it.
The other cases he referred to included the right to life case involving Maneka Gandhi, the Olga Telis case, the Union Carbide case, the Nirabati Behera case concerning custodial violence, judicial appointment case, the Visakha case and the Aruna Shanbaug case.