Justice Nariman-Imagine a room buzzing with energy, the kind you feel at a big family wedding in Kerala, but instead of dance, it’s ideas that spark. On September 1, 2025, Justice Rohinton Nariman walked into Thiruvananthapuram’s Press Club and lit up the crowd with a talk that hit like a monsoon thunderclap. His topic? “Fraternity in a Secular State: Protection of Cultural Rights and Duties.” But don’t let the title fool you – this wasn’t dry law talk. It was a wake-up call for every Indian, from auto drivers in Kochi to teachers in Chennai, to fight for the brotherhood that makes us, well, us. “History is being distorted in schoolbooks,” he warned, pointing to how Mughal emperor Akbar is painted as a tyrant, not a unifier. This former Supreme Court judge didn’t hold back, urging us to protect our shared culture and question loudspeakers blaring religious calls. Join me as we unpack his words – like a chat over steaming idlis – and see why they matter for India’s soul.
The Man Behind the Words: Who is Justice Nariman?
Before we dive deeper, meet Justice Nariman, the star of the show. A Parsi from Mumbai, he served as a Supreme Court judge from 2014 to 2021, ruling on big cases like Aadhaar privacy and state rights. His book, An Ode to Fraternity, even got praise from the Dalai Lama! It’s all about how religions teach us to live kindly together. Yesterday’s talk was the KM Bashir Memorial Lecture, honoring a Kerala journalist who stood for truth. Held by the Vakkom Moulavi Foundation Trust, the event marked 100 years since Bashir’s birth. The Press Club was packed – journalists, students, and locals, all ears for Nariman’s wisdom.
Fraternity: The Heartbeat of Our Constitution
Nariman kicked off with a punch: “Our Constitution’s Preamble is a promise to every Indian, not just the majority.” He explained fraternity as the glue holding our dignity and unity. Without it, India’s like a house divided. “Fraternity isn’t just words on paper; it’s how we live every day,” he said, his voice firm. He shared a chilling example: a child reading a textbook that calls Akbar a tyrant, erasing his role in uniting Hindus and Muslims. “History is being twisted,” he warned, urging us to fight back.
How? Article 51A of our Constitution says it’s our duty to promote harmony and cherish our shared heritage. Nariman’s advice? If textbooks or laws feel biased, head to court. “Judges can set up expert panels to fix distorted history,” he said, making it sound like something even you and I can push for. It’s about keeping India’s story true – one where every faith adds to the beauty.
Secularism: The Stepping Stone to True Brotherhood
Secularism got a big spotlight. Nariman debunked a myth: “It’s not a 1976 add-on; it’s been in our Fundamental Rights since 1950!” Articles 25 to 28 give us religious freedom, but with limits – no harm to public order or health. His boldest line? “Ban loudspeakers for all religious calls, from azaan to temple bells.” Why? “Noise pollution robs people of peace,” he argued, citing sleepless kids and stressed elders. It’s not anti-religion; it’s pro-everyone’s right to quiet.
He tied this to fraternity: “You can’t have brotherhood if one faith drowns out others.” His book digs into Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Buddhist texts – all preach kindness and respect. “Fanatics twist their own faith,” he said, shaking his head. In the Q&A, someone asked about judges citing “divine intervention” in rulings. Nariman didn’t mince words: “That’s breaking their oath to the Constitution!” Judges must stick to law, not gods or politics.
Cultural Rights and Duties: Balancing Freedom and Responsibility
Nariman got to the heart of cultural rights under Articles 29 and 30 – every group’s right to protect their language and culture. But he raised a concern: An old Supreme Court ruling says there’s no “right to convert.” “That’s a mistake we must correct,” he insisted, pushing for freedom to choose faith peacefully. Duties? Article 51A asks us to value our mixed culture and reject hate. He praised Kerala’s harmony, like Thrissur Pooram’s temple-mosque unity, but warned of national trends: “Trolls and biased laws threaten fraternity.”
His call to action? “Citizens, not just governments, must live these values.” Read holy books with open hearts, teach kids our shared past, and speak up against division. The crowd clapped loud – his passion was infectious.
Why This Matters to You and Me in India
This wasn’t just for lawyers. It’s for the chaiwala in Trivandrum sharing snacks during Eid, or the student in Delhi learning about India’s diverse past. Nariman’s words hit home: “Fraternity is a living value.” With 1.4 billion of us, from countless faiths and castes, unity is our strength. His talk at the Press Club – a hub of free speech – reminds us to choose bridges over walls, especially with elections stirring things up.
FAQs
Got questions? Here are simple answers from the talk:
1. What is fraternity in the Constitution?
It’s the promise that all Indians – Hindu, Muslim, Christian, or anyone – are family, with equal dignity and unity.
2. Why ban religious loudspeakers?
They cause noise pollution, hurting health and peace. It’s not against faith but for everyone’s right to quiet, across all religions.
3. Is secularism new to India?
No, it’s baked into our Fundamental Rights since 1950, protecting all faiths equally.
4. How to fix distorted history in textbooks?
File court petitions! Judges can appoint experts to ensure history reflects our shared culture.
5. What’s Nariman’s book about?
An Ode to Fraternity shows how all religions teach kindness and unity, with stories from global faiths.
Justice Nariman’s words were a spark: Let’s keep India’s spirit alive – diverse, kind, united. What hit you most? Share below. Stay true, stay together.
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