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Synopsis

Justice BR Gavai while speaking at a cross-cultural discussion hosted by the New York City Bar Association has said that he was appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court in 2003, when there was no judge from Dalit community in the High Court.

"That may be one of the factors in my appointment as a HC judge”, he added.

This statement came to be made by the Supreme Court judge when he was asked about the impact of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on his life.

Justice Gavai shared that because of affirmative action in India, members of marginalized communities have been able to reach top government positions.

He further shared that his appointment to the Supreme Court of India in 2019 was made solely for giving representation to the Scheduled Castes in the Supreme Court, as there was no judge in the Supreme Court who came from Scheduled Caste community for almost a decade.

It is only because of the Indian Constitution and its mandate of affirmative action and inclusion, that I was be able to serve in the highest judicial office, he added. “If not for giving representation to Scheduled Castes, I would have been elevated maybe two years later”, the judge said.

Justice Gavai has made these statements while being in a conversation with Judge Joseph Zayas, the first Latino judge to serve as Chief Administrative Judge, New York State. The event was moderated by Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant, who has made history as the first South Asian judge elected to New York State Supreme Court in Queens and the first South Asian woman judge elected in New York State.

On challenges thrown by social media on the working of judiciary, Justice Gavai also shared how a doctored clip of Chief Justice Chandrachud adjusting his chair was spread to create a false perception that he left the court in the middle of a hearing.