Addressing the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya convocation, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan highlighted Article 51A to explain how a scientific temperament underpins the rule of law. He warned that societies which uncritically accept claims without evidence inevitably fall prey to superstition and fear. Citing Amartya Sen, he further stressed that a truly functional democracy requires continuous public reasoning rather than mere institutional structures.
Key points
Authoritarian governance expands whenever a society becomes too fearful to scrutinize unj…: Authoritarian governance expands whenever a society becomes too fearful to scrutinize unjust practices and inherited traditions.
Meaningful public debate requires transparent access to information and a sustained willi…: Meaningful public debate requires transparent access to information and a sustained willingness to engage with differing viewpoints.
The constitutional phrase We, the People of India affirms equal citizenship without deman…: The constitutional phrase We, the People of India affirms equal citizenship without demanding that diverse individual identities be erased.
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‘Shun the binary of ‘us’ & ‘they’; adopt ‘we’ for unity in diversity,’ said Justice Bhuyan
NEW DELHI: At a time when the opposition has branded the NDA govt authoritarian, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan Saturday said authoritarianism sets in when society fears questions, and stressed people must shed the binary of 'us' and 'they' and adopt the core constitutional philosophy of 'we' to preserve the country's unity in diversity.Speaking at the convocation ceremony of University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, the SC judge said, "A society that fears questions becomes vulnerable to authoritarianism. A society that treats tradition as beyond scrutiny may fail to reform unjust practices."Highlighting Article 51A of the Constitution that casts a duty on every citizen to develop a scientific temperament, Justice Bhuyan said, "It does not merely ask us to acquire scientific knowledge. It asks us to cultivate a temperament which is based on reason. It tells us to inquire, to question, to examine and, where necessary, to reform."He said, "I believe, scientific temperament lays the foundation for the rule of law. This is because arbitrary power…
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