Chief Justice of India N V Ramana on Sunday pointed towards a "sorry state of affairs" as lack of adequate and quality debates in Parliament resulted in the passing of laws with a "lot of ambiguity and gaps".
He expressed concern on "falling standards of debates and discussion in Parliament in recent time, in comparison with initial years after independence."
“Different laws used to be debated and deliberated upon then. So, the burden of the courts in interpreting or implementing the laws used to be less. We had a clear picture (of) what the legislature wanted to tell...why they were making such a legislation. Now (there is a) sorry state of affairs," Justice Ramana said.
"We see a lot of ambiguity and gaps in legislations (now), there is no clarity in laws, we don't know what purpose law is being made, this is causing of lot of litigation, inconvenience to the people and loss to government," he said.
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The CJI felt that this was so since there were not enough intellectuals, professionals and lawyers in the House.
He recounted how India’s independence struggle was led by lawyers like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, Babu Rajendra Prasad.
"If you take into consideration the first members of the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and state Assemblies. They were filled with lawyers. Unfortunately over a period of time, you know what has been happening in Parliament...This is what happens if intellectuals and professionals like lawyers are not there in the Houses,” the CJI regretted.
He called upon the lawyers to contribute more towards public causes and actively participate in public life.
"It is time the legal community and lawyers have to lead. They should not confine themselves to the profession, earning money and living comfortably. They must actively participate in public life," he said.
He was speaking at a flag hoisting ceremony organised by SCBA on 75th Independence Day at the SC premises.
In his address, the CJI also highlighted the role played by the Supreme Court in protecting the rights of people.
“The Supreme Court has given more than what the Constitution thought of. Not only by interpreting the Constitution but also by expanding the scope and providing rights to the people taking into consideration problems of the citizenry. The Supreme Court has taken an active role and I hope and expect we will contribute more,” he said.