The Union Minister of Law & Justice – Kiren Rijiju noted that the central government is undertaking all possible initiatives to strengthen the judicial system, and have a “very close, cordial relationship” with the judiciary.
The remarks follow the minister’s criticism of the collegium system for judges’ appointment and claimed that it is not in accordance with the Constitution.
Addressing the Constitution Day event at the Supreme Court in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud, Rijiju said, “We work as a team from the government’s side under the visionary leadership of the prime minister.”
“We are doing everything possible to strengthen the Indian judicial system and also to have a very close, cordial relationship with the Indian judiciary,” he noted.
Attended the event to celebrate the Constitution Day at Supreme Court. Prime Minister Shri @Narendramodi Ji was Chief Guest for the inaugural function in the presence of the Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, Judges of SC, Chief Justices & Judges of HC, SCBA & BCI Members & officers pic.twitter.com/a1wmu7FqJr
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) November 26, 2022
Rijiju said he is fortunate to have shared a very cordial relationship with the previous two CJIs N V Ramana and U U Lalit, and incumbent Chandrachud as well as the judges of the Supreme Court and high courts.
New solutions, he said, have to be generated, integrated and interoperated across various available legal platforms to actualise the last mile delivery of legal services.
In a vast country, like India where 65 per cent of the population still lives in rural areas and where regional and local languages are the medium of understanding in most states, language becomes one of the perceived barriers in ensuring universal access to justice, he observed.
Rijiju said legal material and legal terminology are not available in a language understandable by the common people.
He reminded that the PM had on multiple occasions highlighted the need to encourage local languages in courts to increase the confidence of people in the judicial system and to make them feel connected to it.
Besides, a panel headed by former Chief Justice of India (CJI) – S A Bobde is listing out words and phrases, frequently used in various branches of law such as civil, criminal and constitution for developing a ‘common core vocabulary’ close to all Indian languages.
He said such a common core vocabulary for all Indian languages will also help in translating legal material from one Indian language to another.
“By doing so this will enable availability of law text books and judgements, orders in local languages to students pursuing legal education as well as administrators and litigants,” the minister said.
