Chief Justice BR Gavai: "I Practice Buddhism Yet Embrace All Religions" - Reflects on Secular Values in Farewell Speech

Chief Justice BR Gavai declared on Thursday that despite practicing Buddhism, he considers himself a truly secular individual who respects and believes in all religions, including Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam.

He attributed his secular outlook to the influence of his father, an erudite follower of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar who demonstrated genuine secularism throughout his life.

"During my upbringing, whenever my father attended political functions, his friends would often invite him to visit famous Dargahs or Gurudwaras. I was raised to respect all faiths," Chief Justice Gavai explained.

These comments were shared during a farewell function organized by the Supreme Court Advocates on Records Association (SCAORA) ahead of his final working day on November 20 in Court No. 1.

While Chief Justice Gavai officially retires on November 23, Friday, November 21 will mark his last day serving as the country's top judge, as the Supreme Court remains closed over the weekend.

Reflecting on his career, the Chief Justice expressed profound gratitude toward the judiciary, stating, "After serving as a judge for approximately two decades, whatever I am today is because of this institution. I must pay my gratitude to the judicial system of our country."

The Chief Justice noted that his remarkable journey from a municipal school student to the highest judicial office in India was made possible by the Constitution and its foundational values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity that guided his path.

He attributed his accomplishments during his six-month tenure as Chief Justice and six-and-a-half years as a Supreme Court judge to the collective strength of the institution rather than individual achievement.

Chief Justice Gavai emphasized that the Supreme Court should never revolve around any single individual, including the Chief Justice. He stressed that decisions should be made collectively with the full court and highlighted that the judiciary's effective functioning depends on all stakeholders—judges, bar members, registry officials, and staff.

He further underscored the importance of maintaining close collaboration with bodies like the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and SCAORA, particularly on matters affecting the legal profession.