'Against Ambedkar's ideology': CJI Gavai on Article 370; says need 'one Constitution to keep country united'

NEW DELHI: The Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Saturday supported the abrogation of Article 370 and said that in order to keep the country united, "we need only one Constitution". He recalled when the case was brought before the Supreme Court, the five-judge bench unanimously upheld the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370 citing it against BR Ambedkar 's ideology.

"When Article 370 was challenged, it came before us, and when the hearing was underway, I recalled Dr Babasaheb's words that one Constitution is suited for a country... If we want to keep the country united, we need only one Constitution," PTI quoted Gavai saying.

On August 5, 2019, the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir ’s special status and reorganised it into two Union territories. Justice Gavai noted that Ambedkar had faced criticism for including too much federalism in the Constitution, with concerns that it might weaken national unity during times of war.

"See the situation in the neighbouring countries, be it Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. Whenever our country faces challenges, it has remained united," he added.

Gavai was speaking at the inauguration of the Constitution Preamble Park in Nagpur.