New Delhi, Jul 3 (KNS): Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court Ashok Bhan on Friday said India has the potential to emerge as the world's finest democracy if the principles of constitutionalism are practised in their true letter and spirit.
Addressing law students at the Krishna Menon Centre in Delhi, Bhan said the Constitution is not merely the supreme law of the land but a living document that provides the moral and constitutional framework for governance.
"If the jurisprudence of constitutionalism is practised in its true letter and spirit, India—the Bharat envisioned by our Constitution—can become the world's finest nation, distinguished by an exemplary rule of law, robust democratic institutions and unwavering constitutional governance," he said.
Bhan said constitutionalism extends beyond the existence of a written Constitution and requires that every exercise of public power remain subject to constitutional limitations, judicial review, transparency and respect for the dignity of every individual.
He said the strength of democracy should be measured not by the frequency of elections but by the commitment of institutions to constitutional values, the protection of fundamental rights and the willingness to uphold justice.
"The legal profession demands intellectual excellence, integrity, independence of thought and moral courage. Constitutional morality must always prevail over arbitrariness, prejudice and abuse of power," he said.
Referring to India's diversity, Bhan said the Constitution had transformed the country's varied faiths, languages and cultures into the foundation of an inclusive republic based on justice, liberty, equality, fraternity and human dignity.
He said a nation's greatness depends not only on economic progress or military strength but also on the credibility of its institutions, the impartiality of its justice delivery system and the confidence of citizens that the law protects the weakest while restraining the strongest.
Calling upon the younger generation to safeguard constitutional values, Bhan said the future of India would be shaped by the choices made by citizens and constitutional institutions.
"If constitutionalism governs our institutions, informs our politics, inspires our judiciary and becomes the culture of our citizenship, India will emerge as the world's finest democracy," he said.(KNS).