State must side with weaker sections: CJI

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud on Saturday said the state must side with the weaker population, which may be a numerical or a social minority so that all citizens feel free in a democracy.

Speaking at Justice Keshav Chandra Dhulia Memorial Essay Competition here, the CJI said the majority will have its way in a democracy, but the minority must have its say.

He said democracy must engage with all its stakeholders in order to be more than a mere approximation of majoritarian preferences.

This engagement may or may not lead to an outcome right away but will definitely remain etched as a historical fact capable of being resurrected in the future, the CJI said.

"For all citizens to feel free in a democracy, the state must side with the weaker population which may be a numerical or a social minority. This may at first appear to be at odds with the democratic principle of majority rule," he added.

The CJI said the "beauty of a democracy is the sense of moral status with which all citizens can participate in a country and the consensus in its decision making".

"In a democracy, the majority will have its way, but the minority must have its say," he added. (PTI)