From Hisar to Supreme Court: CJI Surya Kant’s journey celebrated in his village

Several others from Hisar also met Justice Kant during the events at the Haryana Bhawan and Supreme Court premises in New Delhi on Sunday and Monday.

In Hisar, his former classmates who continue to call him ‘Surya’ fondly, exchanged congratulatory messages and memories.

Phool Kumar, a farmer who studied with him in classes 9 and 10, attended the SC event on Monday. “He was always very intelligent in school,” Phool recalled. “I had failed class 9 twice when Surya joined, but even today, after all his achievements, he still remembers our names.”

Mahender Singh Nain, a lawyer from Hisar, said that 136 advocates from the district court travelled to Delhi. Some attended the oath ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, while others watched the live telecast from the SC premises before meeting Justice Kant over brunch.

“We reminisced about our days in the Hisar court,” Nain said. “The Chief Justice assured us that he would visit Petwar and nearby towns, including Hisar.”

Justice Kant earned his law degree from Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984, after which he started practicing at the Hisar court.

Prominent personalities across Haryana also warmly welcomed Justice Kant’s elevation to the country’s highest judicial office.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda congratulated Justice Surya Kant and expressed happiness that a judge from Haryana has risen to such a high position. “We and the entire state are proud of him,” he said.

Rajya Sabha MP Randeep Singh Surjewala also described Justice Kant’s elevation to Chief Justice of the Supreme Court as a “historic and proud moment for every Haryanvi”.

He said: “Justice Surya Kant becoming the first Chief Justice of India from Haryana is not just a personal milestone, but a tribute to his humility, perseverance, and dedication. Hailing from a small village in Hisar, his rise to the top reflects unfathomable power of courage, belief and hard work.” Surjewala also said Justice Kant is admired across the Bar for his patience and extraordinary memory, and respected on the Bench for his experience, balance, and ability to carry everyone along.