Institute of Legal and Management Studies

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, describing their ideals as timeless guiding lights for the nation. Speaking after visiting the statue of Mahatma Gandhi installed in the Court premises, Justice Kant said the moment stirred in him a profound sense of peace and reflection.

“There was a calm dignity in the air, embodying Gandhi's teachings of truth and nonviolence. His ability to unite millions of Indians from every strata of society galvanised a national movement that directly challenged British rule,” Justice Kant observed.

He emphasised that Gandhiji's focus on villages, self-reliance and simple living gave voice to rural India and reinforced a unified national identity. “True freedom for Gandhiji was never confined to political sovereignty. It was measured by the dignity accorded to the most vulnerable and the assurance of justice to those at the margins,” he said, adding that Gandhi's vision extended beyond legal institutions into the broader social fabric, where harmony, equity and compassion were central.

Reflecting on Gandhi's legal training, Justice Kant noted that the Mahatma's conception of conflict resolution transcended adversarial methods of the courtroom. “He was convinced that even the fiercest disputants shared common interests, and through appeals to both the heart and mind, reconciliation was possible,” he remarked.

Justice Kant also paid homage to Lal Bahadur Shastri, who shared his birth anniversary with Gandhi. He praised Shastri's governance for its humility, integrity and service orientation, rooted deeply in Gandhian thought. “His enduring call—'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan'—remains a timeless affirmation of patriotism, honouring both the soldier who safeguards the nation and the farmer who sustains it,” he said.

Highlighting the common thread between the two leaders, Justice Kant said both Gandhi and Shastri placed justice at the centre of public life. “For Gandhi, justice was inseparable from truth and compassion. Shastri translated that moral vision into governance, ensuring no citizen felt excluded from the nation's progress,” he observed.

Concluding his address, Justice Kant called upon citizens to uphold the shared ethos of Gandhi and Shastri - justice, humility and selfless service- as a “living call to action” in strengthening India's democracy.

“Let us remember that their ideals are not merely a memory, but a responsibility that continues to guide us. Jai Hind!” Justice Kant said.