Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud emphasized the interconnectedness of private and public life in his address during the Justice E S Venkataramaiah Centennial Me𝔉morial Lecture organized by the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru. The Chief Justice discussed the constitutional imperative of the state in navigating discrimination in bot𓃲h public and private spaces, as reported by PTI.
He acknowledged the historical tendency of Indian courts to prioritize the iꦗnstitution of marriage over individual rights, viewing the preservation of institutions as more critical. Justice Chandrachud highlighted the perception that the private sphere, particularly the privacy of homes, was considered an intimate sanctuary immune from constitutional principles.
While recognizing the validity of safeguarding private lives, the Chief Justice questioned the potential harm in limiting the law's reach to the household. He pointe𒆙d out the inherent risk of inequality within households, citing instances where financial decisions favoring male education over female education perpetuate subtle forms of inequality.
Justice Chandrachud argued ag🃏ainst turning a blind eye to hierarchies and prejudices within private spaces, emphasizing that privacy should not serve as a shield for rights infringement away from legal scrutiny. He stressed the importance of understanding privacy as a protection against excessive intrusion rather than a barrier against the reach of the law and due process.
Addressing gender discrimination, the Chief Justice highlighted the need to bridge the gender pay gap and address intersectional discrimination faced by Indian women 𝓀in the workplace. He called for advocacy that goes beyond gender-sensitive 🌠policies to include initiatives recognizing and rectifying the unique challenges faced by women.
