We Need A New KYC Or Know Your Constitution Drive”: PM Modi

Narendra Modi on Thursday mooted a KYC drive–‘Know Your Constitution’–to popularise the document similar to the KYC (know your customer) practice in the corporate world even as the union law minister lamented the use of terms like “judicial barbarism” to attack the courts.

PM Modi made the suggestion on the occasion of the Constitution day celebrations during which Attorney General K K Venugopal called for ensuring that justice delivery system is able to “wipe every tear from every eye”. Venugopal also wanted urgent steps to fill up vacancies in the subordinate judiciary and to deal with the problem of huge pendency of cases.

Two separate virtual events were organized by the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court Bar Association respectively to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution.

In his inaugural address at the celebrations organised by the Supreme Court, President Ram Nath Kovind said cost is the “top most” hurdle in improving “access to justice for all”. He also commended the judiciary and the Bar for not letting the COVID-19 pandemic come in the way of fulfilling the duty of securing justice for the citizens.

Chief Justice of India S A Bobde spoke on restrictions on freedom of speech, and said they are in the interest of reputation of individuals and institutions. “Nothing is conferred as a right of freedom of speech in absolute and untrammelled terms.”