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Constitution Preamble Park in Nagpur: SC upheld Article 370 abrogation so there is one Constitution, says CJI

Ambedkar said India needs only one Constitution to keep it united, Art 370 went against this: CJI

Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during the inauguration of the Constitution Preamble Park in Nagpur. (PTI)

Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Saturday said the Supreme Court upheld the abrogation of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, “so that the country is governed by only one Constitution”, as envisioned by Dr B R Ambedkar.

The CJI was in Nagpur for the inauguration of a ‘Constitution Preamble Park’ and unveiling of Ambedkar’s statue at a law college.

The CJI was part of the five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, led by then CJI D Y Chandrachud, that, in December 2023, upheld the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370.

“When Parliament abrogated Article 370 and the challenge against it came before us, during the hearing I had referred to Dr Ambedkar’s speech. He had said that in the United States of America, there is a Constitution of the federal government which governs very limited subjects and every state also has its Constitution which has more scope,” CJI Gavai said.

“That is why Dr Ambedkar had said that this country needs only one Constitution to keep it united. Before abrogation of Article 370, a separate Constitution for just one state was not as per Ambedkar’s vision or thinking and, therefore, we unanimously upheld Parliament’s decision so that the country will be governed by only one Constitution,” he said.

“Even though our Constitution is federal, it is not like that of America. It is federal as well as unitary at the same time. Many had alleged that the Constitution provides for excessive centralisation and that the country may not remain united during times of war. To them, Babasaheb had responded firmly, he said that the Constitution is neither overly centralised nor excessively federal. It is well-suited to meet all challenges. And he assured the nation that the Constitution will keep the country united in times of both war and peace,” the CJI said.

“And while looking at the journey of 75 years of our Constitution, we are seeing the situation in neighbouring countries, may it be Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal or Sri Lanka… Whenever our country faces challenges or crises, it has stood strong together and remained united,” the CJI said.

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Reflecting on Ambedkar’s critical role in the making of the Constitution, the CJI recalled his emphasis on enforceable rights, citing Article 32 as the heart and soul of the Constitution. “Babasaheb said rights mean little if there are no remedies to enforce them,” he said. “That is why today we see Article 32 in the Constitution which we call the right to remedy in case of violation of fundamental rights, which can be directly raised before the Supreme Court. Its root lies in Ambedkar’s speech on December 17, 1946,” he said, adding that Ambedkar also insisted on ensuring social and economic equality alongside political rights.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who also addressed the event, said the park would spread the Constitution’s core values.

Besides a statue of Ambedkar, the park has ten murals depicting key values of the Preamble, miniature models of Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, Supreme Court and the Ashoka Pillar.

Ankita Deshkar

Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement) Professional Background & Expertise Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express Experience: Started working in 2016 Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region. Key focus areas include: Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools. Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights. Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion. Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur. Education & Credentials Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes: MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University) Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University) Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights Recent Notable Coverage Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability: Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions. Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response. Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions. Signature Beat Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety. Contact & Follow X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com ... Read More

Omkar Gokhale

Omkar Gokhale is a journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates exceptionally strong Expertise and Authority in legal and judicial reporting, making him a highly Trustworthy source for developments concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in relation to Maharashtra and its key institutions. Expertise & Authority Affiliation: Reports for The Indian Express, a national newspaper known for its rigorous journalistic standards, lending significant Trustworthiness to his legal coverage. Core Authority & Specialization: Omkar Gokhale's work is almost exclusively dedicated to the complex field of legal affairs and jurisprudence, specializing in: Bombay High Court Coverage: He provides detailed, real-time reports on the orders, observations, and decisions of the Bombay High Court's principal and regional benches. Key subjects include: Fundamental Rights & Environment: Cases on air pollution, the right to life of residents affected by dumping sites, and judicial intervention on critical infrastructure (e.g., Ghodbunder Road potholes). Civil & Criminal Law: Reporting on significant bail orders (e.g., Elgaar Parishad case), compensation for rail-related deaths, and disputes involving high-profile individuals (e.g., Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty). Constitutional and Supreme Court Matters: Reports and analysis on key legal principles and Supreme Court warnings concerning Maharashtra, such as those related to local body elections, reservations, and the creamy layer verdict. Governance and Institution Oversight: Covers court rulings impacting public bodies like the BMC (regularisation of illegal structures) and the State Election Commission (postponement of polls), showcasing a focus on judicial accountability. Legal Interpretation: Reports on public speeches and observations by prominent judicial figures (e.g., former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai) on topics like free speech, gender equality, and institutional challenges. Omkar Gokhale's consistent, focused reporting on the judiciary establishes him as a definitive and authoritative voice for legal developments originating from Mumbai and impacting the entire state of Maharashtra. ... Read More

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