What did CJI Chandrachud say on caste system and reservation? Why did you give the example of glasses?

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said on Saturday that due to the caste system, inequalities are not only recorded in history, but even today the caste system is a complex issue. The complexities inherent in the law perpetuate such divisions in society. The CJI said that even today the influence of caste persists and different castes are getting its benefits in the form of economic opportunities.

What did you say on reservation?
CJI Chandrachud stressed that a system like reservation is like a ray of hope to remove caste-based inequalities. CJI DY Chandrachud was speaking on the topic ‘Identity, Individual and State: New Paths to Freedom’ at the 36th Law Asia Conference in Bengaluru. In his address, the Chief Justice also discussed how lawyers face the contradiction of freedom, identity and the role of the state in limiting it.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said that it is important to understand the limitations of the historical understanding of freedom. CJI said that no knowledge can be neutral or objective. “No knowledge is ideologically neutral… We see our changing idea of freedom,” he said.

Justice Chandrachud said that to remove the inherent discrimination in our society, we need to ensure that people are not pigeonholed into different identities. The CJI also highlighted the difficulties faced by persons with disabilities in India. The CJI said that disabled people are forced to obtain certificates for eligibility. This has created a problem in preparing standards by the state. The CJI further said, only by removing the obstacles in the system, all the problems can be solved.

Also gave his example
Giving an example, the CJI said, “People like me who wear glasses are not considered disabled because glasses are something that is widely available everywhere. There is no dearth of opportunities for such people (glasses wearers). Therefore, the distinction of self-identification should not be such that it promotes discrimination.