Our Values are Ultimately Our Greatest Wealth, and We Must Never Forget the Same: Justice Ramana

Justice Ramana highlighted the qualities that one must inculcate for living a good life. He specifically pointed out how living a principled life is of utmost importance for a judge. 

“Most importantly, particularly for a judge, one must be steadfast in holding on to principles and be fearless in decisions. It is an important quality for a judge to withstand all pressures and odds and to stand up bravely against all obstacles,” he said. 

Justice Ramana drew parallels between the life of Lord Rama to stress on how a person's conduct must always remain graceful even in the most difficult times.

Justice Ramana emphasized that the faith of the people in the judiciary is its greatest strength before moving on to say a few words of remembrance for Justice Lakshmanan.

He remembered Justice Lakshmanan's affection and concern for him. Justice Ramana urged everyone to take inspiration from the following words said by the veteran Justice Lakshman.

"We as judges must remember and cherish": "we, the members of the judicial hierarchy have inherited the legacy of dedicated collective endeavour by the bench and the bar in establishing an unbroken tradition of high efficiency, perfect integrity and fearless independence", Justice Ramana quoted.

He concluded that all the members of the Bench must strive to commit to a vibrant and independent judiciary.

It is pertinent to note that last week, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, alleged that some High Court judges are attempting to protect the interests of the major opposition party, Telugu Desam Party, in politically sensitive matters. He wrote a letter to the current Chief Justice of India claiming that Justice Ramana has been influencing the sittings of the High Court including the roster of a few judges in matters that are important to the TDP.