Indian Constitution has stood the test of time: CJI

The Indian Constitution has withstood "the test of time" even as guiding frameworks in neighbouring countries have withered away, Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan has said crediting its success to the vision of its drafter B R Ambedkar.

The Indian Constitution has withstood "the test of time" even as guiding frameworks in neighbouring countries have withered away, Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan has said crediting its success to the vision of its drafter B R Ambedkar.

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"The Indian Constitution has withstood the test of time and it has performed. That is why our democracy has survived, while the Constitutions in our neighbouring countries have either withered away or have fallen into problems," he said while delivering the First Ambedkar Memorial Lecture on Judicial Activism and Enforcement of Socio-Economic Rights.

"To some extent social transformation has taken place in the country because of Indian judiciary and no one can take away credit from Dr Ambedkar, architect of the Constitution," Balakrishnan said at the Nehru Centre here last night.

The Chief Justice said Ambedkar wanted to codify the Hindu law but some of the influential lawmakers did not support him, forcing him to resign from the cabinet.

He said the Indian judiciary could be proud of its role in bringing about certain social changes in the country.

India's High Commissioner to the UK Shiv Shankar Mukherjee said the Indian Constitution commanded huge respect in younger nations, particularly in the African sub-continent.

"We have come a long way because of the founding father of our Constitution," he said.