New Delhi, Oct 2 (PTI) ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’, the cleanliness drive launched on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2014, must be taken as a “social movement” for a clean and hygienic India is “healthier and happier,” Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjiv Khanna said on Monday.
Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud could not attend the function organised by the apex court and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to celebrate the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in the court’s premises. He sent his message for the occasion.
“On this special occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, we commemorate the birth anniversary of the Father of our Nation Mahatma Gandhi, whose principles of non-violence, truth, and self-discipline continue to inspire us in our pursuit of justice,” Justice Chandrachud said in his message.
He also paid his respect to former prime minister Shastri on his birth anniversary and stressed the stalwart leader’s vision for a strong and self-reliant India.
The Chief Justice of India urged SCBA members to let the occasion serve as a reminder of the common commitment to justice, integrity, and upholding the values of the Constitution.
“Let us not only clean our physical environment but also strive for a cleaner, more transparent, and accountable legal system. Together, let us continue our journey in pursuit of a just and cleaner society,” he added in his message.
Justice Khanna, the second seniormost judge, chaired the function and emphasised the relevance of Gandhian philosophy in his address.
“We launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on Gandhi’s birthday. It is a social movement and it has to be taken as a social movement. Unless it is taken as a social movement it will not be able to achieve its aims and objectives,” he said.
“Clean and hygienic India is healthier and happier,” Justice Khanna added, drawing a big applause from the audience.
He said some people become immortal by their words and deeds and underlined various facets of Gandhi’s philosophy, including non-violence, satyagraha, fasting for social and communal harmony, ill will towards none, and simplicity in life.
Justice Khanna said Mahatma Gandhi was revered around the world and a true tribute to the father of the nation was to imbibe his words and put his thoughts into action.
“As he once said, carefully watch your thoughts, for they become your words. Manage and watch your words, for they will become your actions. Consider and judge your actions, for they become your habits. Acknowledge and watch your habits, for they shall become your values. Understand and embrace your values, for they become your destiny,” he said.
He cited two other quotations of Mahatma Gandhi and said they are especially relevant for the judiciary. “Facts mean truth, and once we adhere to truth, the law comes to our aid naturally,” the judge said, quoting Gandhi.
Referring to the contributions of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the apex court judge described the former prime minister as a “true Gandhian” who lived by his words and thoughts.
Justice Khanna highlighted the difficult circumstances when Shastri became the second prime minister of the country. He remained honest and humble while having selfless devotion to the country, the Supreme Court Judge said.
Besides Justice Khanna, Supreme Court judges — Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice K. V. Vishwanathan — and several bar leaders including SCBA Secretary Rohit Pandey and lawyers were present at the function.
The occasion was marked by a cleanliness drive and the garlanding of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue and a photograph of Lal Bahadur Shastri on the Supreme Court premises.