Speaking on ‘Democracy, Debate and Dissent’ at the conclusion of the Justice Keshav Chandra Dhulia Memorial Essay Competition, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said dissents, even those which are unpopular and unacceptable, give us windows to the future and a servile and subservient population weakens democracy.
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The CJI said the State must side with the weaker population which may be a numerical or a social minority and they must have a say in the decision-making process.
“Dissent emerges from profound questions about the working of the society. Abolition of slavery, annihilation of caste, emancipation of gender minorities, and religious harmony were all once dissenting opinions. However, these dissents hold the power to fundamentally restructure our society by sparking an important conversation. These dissents emerge not from thin air but from a democratic culture of fierce debates. Therefore, a society which does not encourage its citizens to critically think, question the powers that be, and engage in nonconformist democratic discourse will fail to progress because it will fail to create dissenters,” the CJI said.