Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh – Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai on Sunday reaffirmed that the judiciary, legislature, and executive are meant solely to serve the people, ensuring that justice is delivered quickly, efficiently, and affordably.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new Gauhati High Court Itanagar Permanent Bench complex, Justice Gavai emphasised his belief in decentralisation, saying, “Justice should reach people’s doorsteps. Neither the courts, nor the judiciary, nor the legislature exist for the royals, judges, or the executive. We all exist to give justice to the people.”
He praised successive chief justices of the Gauhati High Court for initiatives aimed at making justice more accessible, and commended Arunachal Pradesh for its “unity in diversity,” noting the state’s 26 major tribes and over 100 sub-tribes. He said the government’s commitment to preserving tribal traditions and culture was commendable, adding, “The nation must progress, but never at the expense of its heritage and customs—it is our constitutional duty to safeguard them.”
Reflecting on his visits to several northeastern states over the past two years, Gavai said he was deeply moved by the vibrancy of tribal culture. Sharing an emotional moment from a recent trip to conflict-affected Manipur, he recalled a woman in a shelter home telling him, “You are welcome to your home.” “It touched my heart,” he said. “India is one, and for every Indian, the entire country is home.”
Quoting B.R. Ambedkar, the CJI said, “Baba Saheb always believed in ‘India first and India last’. He ensured the Constitution would keep our nation strong and united through both peace and conflict—a reality proven even after 75 years.” He stressed that while each religion has its own sacred text, “for every Indian, the Constitution is the supreme ‘granth’ (scripture),” and urged citizens to read and respect it.
He also reiterated Ambedkar’s warning that political equality is meaningless without economic and social equality, underlining the relevance of the Constitution’s Fifth and Sixth Schedules in safeguarding the traditions and culture of the Northeast’s tribal communities
Earlier, Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Ashutosh Kumar said the new court building reinforces the Constitutional assurance of justice without geographical constraints. “Let Arunachal be the place where justice comes first without delay, just as it witnesses the first sunrise,” he said, describing court complexes as “temples of Constitutional morality” rather than mere infrastructure.
Supreme Court judges Ujjal Bhuyan, N. Kotiswar Singh, Sandeep Mehta, and Vijay Bishnoi also addressed the gathering.
The newly inaugurated ₹135.35 crore facility—constructed by the Public Works Department—houses five modern courtrooms and advanced amenities. The project began in February 2021, three years after Chief Minister Pema Khandu laid its foundation in 2018.
