DY Chandrachud
Former CJI of India DY Chandrachud expressed important views on freedom of expression. On freedom of expression, he said on Friday that if freedom of expression were completely free without any control, powerful people would suppress others. Former CJI DY Chandrachud delivered a speech on the Constitution Day of the Kerala High Court titled “Fraternity under the Constitution – Our Quest for an Inclusive Society”.
He also said that in unequal societies, those with more money, influence and platform have so much power that they can dominate public discussion and silence the voices of marginalized people.
What did the former CJI say?
DY Chandrachud said that in a society where there is inequality, those with power will use their freedom to promote activities that are harmful to those with less power. He also said that if given complete freedom of speech, those with more money and power would use their speech to silence all other voices.
The former CJI said that on the one hand, the constitution grants freedom of speech, but on the other hand, if the freedom of speech is not controlled, it will promote hateful narratives. Such narratives, he said, hinder social equality. The Constitution guarantees free speech and this right, but if the narrative becomes hateful, freedom undermines equality.
“Brotherhood is a stabilizing force.”
Likewise, if everyone is treated equally without recognizing the inherent differences and inequalities in resources in society, those with resources will benefit more than those with social and cultural capital, says Chandrachud.
He further states that equality will therefore destroy the freedom of those who are less equal. Regarding the importance of brotherhood, he said that brotherhood is a great stabilizing force in a democratic system that serves all people.
