Addressing attendees at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru, Supreme Court Justice P.S. Narasimha stressed the need to protect India’s constitutional institutions from political and external pressure. This emphasis was part of a lecture titled Reimagining Constitutional Institutions: Integrity, Efficiency, and Accountability, delivered during the second Justice E.S. Venkataramiah Centennial Memorial Lecture. Justice Narasimha’s speech underscored the importance of safeguarding institutions like the Election Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India to preserve democratic governance.
In his address, Justice Narasimha noted the critical role of what he termed “Fourth Branch Institutions.” These include entities such as Public Service Commissions and National Commissions, which are pivotal in maintaining a balance of power and ensuring accountability, fairness, and democratic values. In his view, the foresight of India’s constitution-makers in establishing these bodies should be appreciated, as they enhance the separation of powers (The Print).
Justice Narasimha also spoke about the challenges facing these institutions, particularly concerning diversity, expertise, and capability development, which he identified as lacking. He called for reforms to reduce political influence and bolster the autonomy of these bodies. Reflecting on the Election Commission’s historical evolution, Justice Narasimha recognized its independence from the executive branch as a significant achievement and credited Article 324 of the Indian Constitution as a testament to the vision of the Constitution’s framers.
The conversation extended to include non-constitutional bodies such as the Central Vigilance Commission and Central Information Commission. Justice Narasimha categorized these as “integrity institutions,” highlighting their role in ensuring transparency and accountability within the government. Through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, he praised citizens’ empowerment and pushed for more scholarship and reflection on public institutions, which he feels are currently “stuck in an analogue mode in a digital world” (News18).
The event also featured reflections from Justice B.V. Nagarathna, who honored her father, Justice E.S. Venkataramiah, for his contributions to press freedom during his tenure as the 19th Chief Justice of India. Justice Narasimha concluded his lecture with a call for ongoing dialogue on the operation of constitutional institutions, emphasizing citizens’ responsibility to hold authorities accountable to ensure the continuation of a smooth democratic process (NDTV).
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