Not heeding 'advice' of Constitution will result in 'descent into chaos', says CJI

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi Monday said it is in "our best interest" to heed the advice of the Constitution and warned that failing to do so would result in "sharp descent into chaos".

The assertion by Justice Gogoi came at the inaugural function of the 'Constitution Day Celebrations' here where President Ram Nath Kovind said the Constitution is the "modern scripture" of independent India and an "inspirational and living document".

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted people on the Constitution day, saying values enshrined in it must be followed in personal and public life.

"We are proud of our Constitution and reiterate our commitment to uphold the values enshrined in it," Modi wrote on Twitter.

Constitution Day, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is celebrated on November 26 to commemorate the Constitution being adopted by the Constituent Assembly on this day in 1949. It came into effect on January 26, 1950.

Without naming anyone, Congress President Rahul Gandhi used the occasion to assert that those conspiring to destroy the Constitution should know they neither have the capacity to do so nor will the Congress allow them to do anything.

The colours of the Constitution are "engrained in every part of us", Gandhi said on Twitter.

In his address, Justice Gogoi said the Constitution is the voice of the marginalised as well as the prudence of the majority and continues to be a guide in moments of crisis and uncertainty.

"It is in our best interest to heed the advice of the constitution. If we do not, our hubris will result in sharp descent into chaos," he said.

"The constitution has become an integral part of the lives of the Indian people. This is not an exaggeration, one need only to look at the astounding variety of issues that the courts hear daily."