Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on Thursday paid his respects to Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the chairman of the drafting committee of the Constitution, on the eve of his 132nd birth anniversary.
The CJI paid his tributes to the eminent jurist and reformer at the Supreme Court Library. Judges of the Apex Court, lawyers and others were present on the occasion.
Earlier on Tuesday (April 11), CJI Chandrachud had issued a circular declaring the Apex Court and its Registry would remain closed on April 14, to commemorate the Ambedkar birth anniversary.
Before this declaration, there was speculation on whether April 14 was a working day for the Supreme Court.
When a Bench led by Justice M.R. Shah listed a matter for Friday, a counsel noted that a message was circulating that it would be a holiday on account of Ambedkar Jayanti.
Justice Shah then said on a lighter note that the Bar must be commended for knowing things much before the judges.
Earlier, a group of lawyers had written to the CJI seeking the inclusion of Ambedkar Jayanti as a permanent holiday for the Supreme Court.
The advocates pointed out that while publishing its list of holidays as part of the annual calendar, the Apex Court had failed to include April 14 as holiday.
Earlier on December 6, 2022, while paying his respects to Dr Ambedkar on his death anniversary, the CJI had said that wherever the Indian judiciary stood today was because of the vision of Dr Ambedkar.
Born on April 14, 1891, Dr Ambedkar headed the committee drafting the Constitution of India from the Constituent Assembly debates. He served as Law and Justice Minister in the first cabinet of free India. He later renounced Hinduism for Buddhism.