Justice Surya Kant’s Solemn Salute to Gandhi and Shastri: ‘Their Values Guide Our Bench & Nation
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
Delhi, 2, October,2025- On the occasion of the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri, Justice Surya Kant offered a heartfelt homage, describing their legacies as “timeless guiding lights” that continue to illuminate the path of justice, governance, and ethical public life.
Recalling his recent visit to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Justice Kant reflected on the moment as one imbued with serenity and introspection. “There were an unmistakable calm and dignity in the air,” he observed, “a silent testament to Gandhi’s enduring doctrine of truth and non-violence—principles that remain foundational to our constitutional ethos.”
“For Gandhiji, true freedom was never confined to the attainment of political sovereignty; it was measured by the dignity accorded to the most vulnerable and by the assurance of justice to those at the margins of society. His vision was not restricted to legal institutions alone, but encompassed the broader fabric of social life, where harmony, equity, and compassion were to be the guiding forces of human conduct.” Said Justice Kant.
He further said that Gandhiji’s focus on villages, self reliance and simple living gave voice to rural India and reinforced a unified national identity.
“As we contemplate his philosophy today, it is worth recalling that Gandhiji, like many of us here, was trained in the law. Yet his conception of conflict resolution transcended the adversarial methods of the courtroom and was convinced that even the fiercest disputants shared threads of common interest, and that through an appeal to both the heart and the mind, reconciliation was possible. His profound faith in the inherent goodness of humanity breathed life into his ethos of conflict as an opportunity for harmony rather than division.”
Justice Surya Kant also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, commending his leadership for its humility, integrity, and firm commitment to public service—values deeply anchored in Gandhian philosophy. He described Shastri’s iconic slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,” as a perennial expression of patriotism, one that continues to honour the twin pillars of national strength: the soldier who defends the Republic and the farmer who nourishes it.
He stated that both leaders, Gandhi and Shastri, prioritized justice as the core of public life. For Gandhi, justice was fundamentally linked to truth and compassion, while Shastri embodied this moral vision through governance, making sure that no citizen was left behind in the nation’s progress.
At the conclusion of his address, Justice Kant called upon citizens to uphold the enduring values espoused by Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Emphasizing humility and selfless service as guiding principles, he urged that these ideals should not merely remain in remembrance but be embraced as a living call to action in strengthening the foundations of India’s democracy.
