New Delhi: In a significant address detailing the relationship between the executive and the judiciary, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that democratic institutions were created by the Constitution to balance each other, not to stand in opposition. His remarks came during the launch of two new books authored by the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, in the national capital.

The high-profile event was attended by leading figures of the legal fraternity, including Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant and Attorney General R. Venkataramani.

“Dialogue, Dignity, and Balance”

During his speech, Shah reflected on India’s 76-year democratic journey, noting that the country’s parliamentary system has deepened its roots to the core. He praised the peaceful transitions of power and legislative changes since 1947, which he noted have been achieved “without shedding a single drop of blood”.

Addressing the dynamics between the government and the courts, Shah stated, “Our democracy’s beauty is that the Constitution created institutions not to oppose one another, but to balance one another”. He urged that the executive and judiciary must work with “dialogue, dignity, and balance,” which were the core principles envisioned by the Constitution makers.

However, he also stressed that both the judiciary and the executive share a joint responsibility to identify loopholes in the system and plug them using a “concrete, time-bound roadmap” to ensure justice for the common man.

A 30-Year Friendship and Literary Pursuits

Stripping away his political persona for a moment, Shah spoke fondly of his 30-year friendship with Tushar Mehta. Revealing a lesser-known side of the Solicitor General, Shah shared that Mehta has a deep passion for literature and frequently shares Urdu shayari (poetry) and ghazals via text messages.

Shah candidly admitted that he hadn’t fully read the newly launched books himself, citing his busy schedule with election campaigns in West Bengal and other states, and had relied on notes prepared by his team. According to his notes, the books delve into the humorous, literary, and human aspects of the courtroom. They feature intriguing historical anecdotes, such as twin sisters playing the roles of judge and lawyer to toy with each other, and a judge issuing rulings while out hunting.

Warnings on AI in the Courtroom

Touching upon the contents of the book titled Bench, Bar and the Vichar, Shah discussed the impending challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and modern technology in the judiciary. While acknowledging the need to integrate technology and justice, Shah issued a subtle caution. He argued that the core of justice relies on a judge listening to the debates of two advocates in an open court and making a decision based on experience and knowledge, warning against the societal consequences of over-relying on automated tech.

Mother’s Day Dedication

Noting that the launch coincided with Mother’s Day, Shah commended Mehta for dedicating the books to his mother. Shah added a personal touch, stating that in Indian culture, every day is Mother’s Day. He shared that he never leaves his house without seeking his mother’s blessings, and even after her passing, he lights a lamp in gratitude before stepping out.

A Promise of ‘Candid Views’ to Come

While Shah began his speech by humorously noting he had been advised not to create any controversies regarding executive-judiciary relations, he left the audience with a tantalizing promise. He declared that while today was strictly about celebrating his friend’s literary debut, he intends to express his “candid and fearless views” on the legal field at another forum in the near future.