Technology not a cure for all malaise, Said CJI DY Chandrachud highlighting the Need of Digital Inclusion
Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Administrator
On Friday, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud emphasised the importance of digital inclusion and an ecosystem that allows the benefits of technology to be realised. “Technology is not a cure in and of itself,” the Supreme Court judge recalled, emphasising the significance of customising Indian technology to our societal conditions and making our design thinking user-centric.
Judge Chandrachud was addressing at the Gauhati High Court’s platinum jubilee celebrations. President of India Droupadi Murmu, Governor of Assam Gulab Chand Kataria, Union Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju, Chief Judge of Gauhati High Court Sandeep Mehta, and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were also in attendance.
The Gauhati High Court launched a mobile application called ‘Bhoroxa’ to ensure women’s safety and empowerment. The Chief Justice of India commended the developers for being cognisant of the digital gender divide and design thinking to be user-centric.
Chief Justice Chandrachud highlighted the digital gender divide in the country and the state of Assam, noting that 75.4% of women in the urban areas of Assam and 53.9% in the rural areas of the state already had access to mobile phones. However, the percentage of women who have never used the internet still falls below 50% in Assam. He also highlighted the need to address the pressing needs of the most vulnerable sections of society, including access to justice, legal aid and public services. He highlighted the role of the judiciary and humane touch in law to ensure that the law and its administration do not thwart justice but rather uphold it. Chief Justice Chandrachud argued that law must remain imbued with a humane touch and be grounded in diversity of human experiences to ensure that it serves the needs and interests of all people.
He said that the constitutional path is reflected in the values of the preamble, which provide the beacon for the unity of our nation and the stability of our social fabric. He also emphasized the importance of judicial independence, which is determined by the faith of the citizens in the judiciary. Finally, he said that constitutional statesmanship requires deliberation and dialogue, but not public grandstanding.
Written By – Srijan
