CJI Justice Surya Kant Urges Young Lawyers to Uphold Constitutional Promise of Access to Justice

August 16, 2026 : Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant has called upon the legal fraternity, particularly young lawyers, to carry forward the constitutional legacy of India’s freedom struggle and ensure that justice remains accessible to every citizen.

Addressing the Independence Day function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on the lawns of the Supreme Court, the CJI said the occasion was an opportunity to remember with gratitude those who sacrificed their lives, labour and dreams for the country’s freedom.

Justice Surya Kant highlighted the close and enduring relationship between the legal profession and India’s freedom movement. Recalling the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, both of whom were lawyers, he observed that the legal profession was not merely a spectator to the freedom struggle but played an integral role in shaping modern India.

The Chief Justice said that the understanding of law evolved significantly with independence. According to him, the true purpose of law is not merely to command or regulate, but to serve justice, protect liberty and uphold human dignity.

He noted that after independence, the central challenge before the nation was no longer resistance to colonial rule but the task of giving practical effect to the constitutional vision of a free India.

Speaking about access to justice, Justice Surya Kant emphasised the importance of legal aid and the role played by Legal Services Authorities in ensuring that justice is not confined to those who can afford legal representation. He said access to justice is not a privilege available only to a few, but a constitutional commitment owed to all citizens.

The CJI further stressed that the responsibility of the legal profession did not end with the attainment of independence. Instead, it assumed a new form, requiring lawyers to uphold constitutional values and particularly stand with those who may lack the financial resources or social voice to seek legal remedies.

Addressing young lawyers and law graduates, Justice Surya Kant expressed confidence in the new generation of the Bar. He said their sensitivity towards equality, inclusion and access to justice provides reason for optimism about the future of the justice delivery system.

He reminded the younger members of the legal profession that the responsibility carried by the Bar since the freedom struggle would soon rest on their shoulders. The institutions of justice built and strengthened by previous generations, he said, must now be protected and carried forward by them.

The CJI concluded by expressing his appreciation to the Supreme Court Bar Association for organising the Independence Day programme and described the occasion as a meaningful and historic moment for the legal fraternity.