Vice President Launches Ex-CJI BR Gavai's Book 'The Voice Of Justice : Justice Gavai Speaks'

C. P. Radhakrishnan, Vice-President of India, today formally released a book, 'The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks ', at the Vice-President's Enclave, New Delhi. It features a curated collection of former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai's speeches.

The book launch was presided over by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and also saw the presence of Justice Vikram Nath. The book, edited by Senior Professor S. Sivakumar of the Indian Law Institute, has been published by Thomson Reuters.

Speaking to the audience, VP Radhakrishnan said that the book is not merely a collection of speeches but an important constitutional and institutional document reflecting judicial thoughts shaped by experience, constitutional discipline and public responsibility. 

He said: "The title 'Voice of Justice' is particularly meaningful because justice in a constitutional democracy is sustained by reason, fairness, restraint and institutional trust. The book engages with a wide range of constitutional themes."

VP also said that the judiciary occupies a vital role in preserving constitutional governance and safeguarding citizens' faith in the rule of law. But he reminded that in a constitutional democracy, restraint is as important as exercising authority. "Institutions' true character is revealed not by powers vested in them but by the wisdom guiding the exercise of those powers. Strong institutions depend not only on constitutional powers but also on constitutional culture, respect for institutions, and commitment to democratic values.

CJI Kant also addressed the audience. He informed that he had the privilege of writing the Foreword for the book, which stands as a testimony to former CJI Gavai's work, which he carried out with dignity while staying grounded in the realities of the world. 

CJI Kant pointed out that three themes run concurrently through the book: first, the insistence that the Constitution is not self-executing, which is why former CJIs continue to emphasise access to justice, free legal aid, undertrial prisoners, and compassion in justice delivery.

"The first is the insistence that the Constitution is not self-executing. Its promises become real only when institutions remember the human being behind the dispute. That is why Bhushan Bhai returns so often to access to justice, free legal aid, undertrial prisoners, and compassion in justice delivery. His reflections on Article 39A are not technical reflections on legal aid alone; they are a reminder that justice cannot depend on the accident of one's resources." 

The second theme is the former CJI's focus on the relationship between rights and social justice. CJI Kant said that the former judge doesn't see fundamental rights and directive principles as rival claims upon the Constitution but a deliberate constitutional design. Thirdly, the book addresses the need for constitutionalism through the lens of technology, legal education, arbitration, climate concerns, gender justice, public confidence in courts and rights of marginalised communities. 

CJI Kant said that Justice Gavai's speeches don't offer an easy answer to these anxieties.  

"What they offer instead is a method: an insistence that the Law retain its human face even while modernising, that Courts remain accessible even while managing complexity, and that constitutional morality must not remain a phrase reserved for judgments, but should inform institutional dharma in everyday life," CJI Kant told the audience.

Beyond being a compilation of speeches, "The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks" presents a coherent exposition of Justice Gavai's judicial philosophy and his enduring commitment to constitutional values. The publication offers readers valuable insights into the evolving role of courts in the twenty-first century and the challenges of ensuring justice in an increasingly diverse democratic society.