CJI Surya Kant: Water Access is Essential for Human Dignity
CJI Surya Kant emphasizes that safe water access is a fundamental human right and essential for upholding constitutional dignity.
Addressing the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Foundation Day celebrations, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant emphasized that access to safe and reliable water is a fundamental necessity for upholding human dignity and fulfilling constitutional rights.
Speaking at a one-day conference titled 'Water – The Elixir of Life', the CJI highlighted the critical gap between infrastructure and actual service delivery. He noted that merely providing a tap connection does not guarantee true access to water if the supply is unreliable or the quality is poor.
Beyond the Tap: The Reality of Water Access
The Chief Justice pointed out that a physical connection alone is insufficient to meet the needs of a population. He remarked that a pipe that runs dry cannot fulfill the promise of water access, and providing water contaminated with substances like arsenic or fluoride is not a service, but a direct threat to life and public health.
"A mere tap is not the same as access to water. A pipe that runs dry cannot fulfil the promise that the pipe represents. And water contaminated with arsenic, fluoride or other harmful substances is not a service; it is a threat to life and health," the CJI stated.
He further elaborated on the profound connection between water security and other fundamental rights, noting that water sustains health, enables education, and protects the overall dignity of families. According to the CJI, water is not an isolated entitlement but a foundational condition that makes the realization of all other rights possible.
A Collective Responsibility for Future Generations
The CJI called for a unified approach to combat water-related challenges, involving a coordinated effort from various sectors:
- Governments: Must build and maintain robust systems to ensure water reaches every citizen.
- Courts: Must intervene when constitutional rights to water are violated.
- Human Rights Commissions: Must investigate complaints, identify systemic failures, and ensure institutional attention.
- Civil Society & International Institutions: Must play their respective roles in resource management.
Furthermore, Surya Kant issued a warning regarding the depletion of aquifers and the pollution of rivers, stating that the right to water must be viewed as a responsibility toward future generations to ensure they inherit viable drinking water sources.
The Crucial Role of the NHRC
Reflecting on the 33-year history of the NHRC, the CJI praised the institution as a "keeper of the Constitution's promises." He highlighted its efficiency, noting that the Commission has registered over 24 lakh cases and successfully disposed of more than 23 lakh cases—a disposal rate exceeding 98 per cent.
The CJI remarked that the Commission serves a vital function by reaching individuals who face difficulties accessing traditional courts. "It goes where the court cannot easily go; it listens to those who cannot easily speak, and it can act on its own without waiting to be asked," he said.
He specifically underscored the importance of protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, including marginalized communities, migrant workers, women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and undertrial prisoners. Additionally, the CJI commended the NHRC for its digital advancements, such as its new mobile application, which allows citizens to file complaints and track progress more easily.