The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, voiced his misgivings on Saturday with the term “temples of justice” and warned against judges thinking of themselves as temple deities.
The remarks were given by CJI Chandrachud in Kolkata during a regional National Judicial Academy meeting.
People claim that the court is a temple of justice, yet there is a very real risk when we are addressed as “Honour,” “Lordship,” or “Ladyship.” There’s a serious risk that in those temples we start to see ourselves as gods. As a result, in my opinion—speaking for myself—I am a little cautious when I am informed that this is a temple of justice because the temple concept holds that judges are in a position close to divinity, Justice Chandrachud remarked.
CJI went on to say that he would want to see judges acting with empathy and compassion on behalf of the public.
“I would prefer to recast the judge’s position as the people’s server. The idea of empathy, compassion, and passing judgment on others without being judgmental about them enters the picture when you see yourself as being there to assist others.
The Chief Justice of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, who was also in attendance, compared courts to houses of religion before the CJI made her comments.
The judiciary is a sacred place to us. It is comparable to a gurudwara, masjid, mandir, and girja (church). It is the last resort for obtaining justice and defending constitutional rights, according to Banerjee, and our highest authority for administering justice to the people.
Banerjee emphasized that the courts are the people’s only hope for preserving democracy and the constitution and demanded that the judiciary be free of political prejudice.
“I don’t want to abuse or degrade someone in any way. However, I kindly request that you check to make sure the court is free of political bias. The Chief Minister declared that the judiciary “must be pure, honest, absolutely pure, sacred, and let the people do the Pooja.”
