Constitutional Values Must Guide Society: Justice Govind Mathur

Constitutional Values Must Guide Society: Justice Govind Mathur

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, September 14, 2025: Constitutional values are supreme and must be used to confront the social evils prevalent in society, said Justice Govind Mathur, former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court.

Delivering a lecture on “The Balance Between Constitutional and Social Morality in the Indian Context” at the B.V. Kakkillaya Inspired Lecture series at Ravindra Kala Bhavan, University College Mangaluru, Justice Mathur cautioned that glorifying social evils in the name of tradition and remaining silent amounts to betraying constitutional principles.

 

Democracy, he said, should not be limited to periodic elections. “Once elections are over, we forget our representatives, only to face another election five years later. Meanwhile, social evils such as untouchability, communalism, casteism, inequality, money power and muscle power continue to thrive. We must question these and remain vigilant,” he urged.

Recalling the freedom movement, he noted that Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle was not just about expelling the British but also about eradicating untouchability, blind beliefs and inequality. “Even after 75 years of the Constitution, can we truly claim to have eliminated these evils?” he asked.

Referring to a Supreme Court order on noise and air pollution, he said courts and judges are part of the system and bound by limitations, but those in public life must raise their voices in defence of constitutional values.

The lecture, organised in association with M.S. Krishna Memorial Trust, Samadarshi Vedike and Hosatu newspaper, was attended by senior writers, thinkers, and Hosatu editor Siddanagouda Patil. Publisher Kallooru Nagesh compered the event.

Introducing the programme, Dr. Srinivas Kakkillaya said that the B.V. Kakkillaya Inspired Lectures, held since 2013, aims to reinforce the idea that the Constitution is supreme against attempts to impose personal beliefs on society. He noted that this year’s event was made possible after Minister-in-Charge Dinesh Gundu Rao intervened to secure permission from the university.