CJI Surya Kant Hails Kesavananda Bharati Verdict as India's Constitutional Cornerstone
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New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has hailed the 1973 Kesavananda Bharati verdict as a landmark affirmation of India's commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law. Speaking at the International Convention on Independence of Judiciary, CJI Kant described the verdict as 'an act of constitutional archaeology,' where judges uncovered foundational principles embedded in the Constitution's design. The verdict, which introduced the 'basic structure doctrine,' limits Parliament's power to amend the Constitution and gives the judiciary the authority to review any amendment. CJI Kant emphasized that the Constitution is not a transient document but a living covenant between the state and citizens, with its strength lying in the probity of those who interpret and defend it. The 'basic structure doctrine' has allowed the Constitution to grow while remaining tethered to its founding spirit, enabling it to adapt to new realities without losing its centre. CJI Kant sees this doctrine as a map for charting India's future, keeping democracy from drifting into absolutism as institutions modernize and confront new frontiers.
