Former Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai has underlined the inseparable relationship between lawyers and judges, stating that constitutional democracy cannot survive unless both the Bar and the Bench function independently and in harmony. Addressing the 52nd Annual Convocation of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka in New Delhi, Justice Gavai stressed that the strength of democratic institutions depends not only on constitutional text but also on an active and fearless legal community capable of holding the State accountable.
Drawing from the constitutional experiences of India and Sri Lanka, Justice Gavai said the legal profession carries responsibilities far beyond courtroom advocacy. He noted that lawyers historically played a defining role in India’s freedom movement and continue to shape public discourse, constitutional values, and institutional accountability. According to him, an independent Bar acts as a safeguard against executive excesses and ensures representation for individuals whose voices may otherwise go unheard. He also cautioned that democratic institutions weaken when either the judiciary or the legal fraternity fails to perform its constitutional role effectively.
Explaining the relationship between courts and lawyers, Justice Gavai remarked that the Bar and the Bench are “not two distinct or competing institutions in a constitutional democracy.” Emphasising their shared constitutional duty, he described them as “the two wheels of the golden chariot on which the accountability of the State rests.” The former CJI further observed that if one institution weakens, the balance of constitutional governance begins to erode. He ultimately stressed that an independent judiciary cannot function in isolation without a vigilant, courageous, and engaged Bar supporting constitutional values.
Source PTI
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