The Supreme Court on Tuesday announced that this court and its Registry would remain closed on April 14, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.
The announcement was made by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud by way of a circular.
Before this declaration, there was speculation in some courtrooms on whether April 14 was a working day.
When a Bench led by Justice M.R. Shah listed a matter for Friday, the Counsel said that a message was circulating that it would be a holiday on account of Ambedkar Jayanti.
The Apex Court then commented on a lighter note that the Bar must be commended for knowing these things much before the judges.
Earlier, a group of lawyers had reportedly written to the CJI, seeking the inclusion of Ambedkar Jayanti as a permanent holiday for the Supreme Court.
The Advocates had flagged the fact 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.
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader, who 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 Jawaharlal Nehru and inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement after renouncing Hinduism.
On 132nd birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, people across the country will pay tribute to him for his invaluable contribution to the Indian Constitution.
Dr. Ambedkar gave words like sovereignty, socialism, secularism, democracy and republican form of state committed to justice-socio-economic and political; liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; equality of status and of opportunity; and the fraternity among all the citizens assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity as key points to the Constitution.
These words enshrined in the Constitution talk about India as a Great nation.