Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, who is set to retire on 8 November, has spoken candidly about his reflections on his two-year tenure, sharing his thoughts on the legacy he will leave for future generations of judges and legal professionals.
Speaking at the convocation ceremony at JSW Law School in Bhutan, the Chief Justice remarked, “As my tenure is coming to an end, my mind has been heavily preoccupied with fears and anxieties about the future and the past.” He reflected on the uncertainties surrounding his tenure, asking, “Did I achieve everything I set out to do? How will history judge my tenure? Could I have done things differently? What legacy will I leave for future generations of judges and legal professionals?”
CJI Chandrachud, who assumed office on 9 November 2022, acknowledged that many of these questions may remain unanswered, noting that the ultimate judgement of his legacy lies beyond his control. “However,” he added, “I do know that, over the last two years, I have woken up every morning with a commitment to give the job my fullest and gone to bed with the satisfaction that I have served my country with the utmost dedication. It is in this that I seek solace.”
The event, which was attended by Bhutanese Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck and the country’s Chief Justice Lyonpo Chogyal Dago Rigdzin, saw CJI Chandrachud offering advice to the graduating class. He urged them to “combine the passion and idealism of youth with the sophistication and expertise of their training”, according to reports.
During his address, the Chief Justice challenged the notion that traditional values are in conflict with modern democratic principles. “There is often a misconceived perception that the traditional values of our communities are antithetical to modern democratic ideas such as liberty, equality, and dissent,” he said.
CJI Chandrachud further emphasised the unique position of countries like India and Bhutan, which face a crossroads of diverse influences, especially from the West. He urged caution in assuming that Western interpretations of justice are universally applicable, noting, “The conventional Western definition of ‘human rights’, which tends to prioritise the individual over the community, while well-intentioned, fails to account for the diverse perspectives and cultural nuances that shape our understanding of justice.”
