Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, speaking in Panaji on Sunday, delivered a powerful address that intertwined Goa's cultural essence with a critical social initiative. He declared that the spirit of Goa is not confined to its architectural landmarks or picturesque streets but is deeply embedded within every citizen and resident of the state.
Goa's DNA: Antiquity, Resilience, and Beauty
Justice Surya Kant observed that the people of Goa inherently carry the DNA of the state's rich antiquity, remarkable resilience, and inherent beauty. "All of them seem to carry the DNA of Goa’s antiquity, resilience and beauty. This is what Goa stands for—preservation, heritage and pride in our identity," he stated. His remarks came at the concluding ceremony of the first phase of a significant 30-day special awareness campaign focused on drug abuse, organized by the Goa State Legal Services Authority.
A Campaign with a Compassionate Core
The Chief Justice highlighted the campaign's fundamental message to Goa's youth, reminding them that authentic commitment, genuine peace, and true contentment cannot be discovered through drugs. "It can only be found in connection, purpose, and in embracing family and community," he emphasized. He praised the initiative for its design, noting it is not punitive but fundamentally preventive and rehabilitative in nature.
Justice Surya Kant issued a stark warning about the insidious nature of drug abuse, stating that it does not arrive with loud warnings but quietly infiltrates homes, classrooms, and communities, thereby eroding human potential and distorting futures.
A National Blueprint for Action
Positioning the Goa campaign as a pioneering example, the CJI asserted that it possesses the potential to lead the entire nation. He suggested that other state legal aid authorities and state governments should follow this model. "This campaign will continue until every citizen, every house and every person in Goa is absolutely confident that the menace of drugs is completely eliminated, pedlars are dismantled, sources destroyed, and Goa is provided a protective umbrella so that this menace of drug abuse will never enter," he affirmed with determination.
Beyond Criminality: A Holistic Challenge
The Chief Justice provided a nuanced perspective on substance abuse, framing it as a multifaceted crisis. "Substance abuse is not merely a criminal problem but a social, psychological and medical one which requires concerted action and not retributive rhetoric, which this awareness campaign squarely managed to capture," he explained. This approach, he noted, successfully moves beyond mere punishment to address the root causes.
Law, Compassion, and Social Change
Reflecting on his four decades of observing the justice system's evolution, Justice Surya Kant offered a profound insight into the interplay between law and societal transformation. He remarked that law devoid of compassion can descend into tyranny, while compassion without the structure of law may lead to chaos.
He commended the Goa campaign for skillfully navigating this middle path. It achieved this by engaging students as equals without condescension, interacting with families respectfully, sensitizing the public without resorting to fear-mongering, and crucially, amplifying the voices of individuals often marginalized by society. "Their testimony is more powerful than any pamphlet," he concluded, underscoring the campaign's human-centric and empowering methodology.
