Criticize Government But Do Not Denigrate India As A Nation: Senior Advocate Harish Salve

Senior Advocate Harish Salve has cautioned that while criticism of the government and its institutions is essential in a democracy to keep it in check, India should not be denigrated while expressing our views, particularly on social media.

Speaking at the AK Sen Memorial Lecture and Photograph Unveiling Ceremony organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Salve said, "Trenchant criticisms within India of the government and its institutions is necessary to keep the government in control. But we should be very careful. Whatever we say, whatever we do in today's world of social media, do not denigrate India as a nation. Always remember, 'Sare Jahan Se Achcha Hindustan Humara',"

"One thing, as someone who resides outside India, is that India today is looked at with a great sense of respect. The Western world is in turmoil as we see every day. Europe feels orphaned. US is making people wonder whether it ever had a Constitution. But they unite when it comes to resisting India's ascent. They still find it hard to accept that a country of not white people, a country which they call a third-world country, is aspiring to be a leader of the world, has become the fourth largest economy in the world," Salve added.

Salve also has said our nation is at an inflection point as the changes in our polity, the fast-changing demography, the growing demand upon limited resources caused by rising aspirations, and the overdose of information on social media are all huge pressure points in our society. "At a time like this, we have to be careful that the rule of law is in no way diminished in the way we work, in the way we live, in the way our country is running..We must always remind ourselves that democracy is not in place because it is the best form of government, but because we have not yet discovered anything better. The aspirations of a young population require education. They require employment. None of this can be achieved without national prosperity. Prosperity, together with freedom, is possible only when the rule of law reigns supreme," he added.

The senior lawyer further urged that we have to remind ourselves that the vocabulary in society has become shrill a this is the world of social media where political vocabulary has become shrill. "The kind of debates we hear, we have never heard before, the kind of expletives, the kind of expressions we hear. But we as lawyers have always shown the way. It is our duty to preserve the rule of law," he said.

Salve also recalled his association with AK Sen and said, “He would say that the constituent power under Article 368 is the fountainhead of power before it flows into its defined pools, and there can be no curtailment of the power to amend the Constitution.”

While Senior Advocate Harish Salve delivered the keynote address, Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant attended as Chief Guest.

SCBA President Vikas Singh said the unveiling was prompted by an email from Aditya Sen, AK Sen's family member, pointing out that no portrait of him existed at the Court, despite a chamber block already bearing his name.