Gen Z's irreverence a sign of democratic health, says former justice

India's younger generation isn't just scrolling through memes—they're actively shaping the country's democratic future, according to former Chief Justice of Orissa High Court S. Muralidhar. In a powerful address delivered August 24, the respected jurist argued that Gen Z's willingness to challenge authority and question rhetoric represents genuine democratic progress.

A generation that won't be silenced

Justice Muralidhar pointed to recent protests led by young people as evidence that democracy remains vibrant. "The recent protests by our Gen Z assure us that democracy in India will not be allowed to die," he stated, his voice carrying the weight of decades of legal experience. He specifically noted how this generation remains unmoved by political attempts to label critics as "dimagi Naxal"—a term that continues to spark heated debate.

Vision for 2047: A more responsive system

The former justice painted a picture of what India's legal landscape should become. He called for an end to criminalizing honest criticism of government officials and stopping the weaponization of laws against peaceful protesters. His vision includes a judiciary that acts swiftly on complaints of state excesses rather than letting cases languish for years.

"The India of 2047 would be better served if the government of the day stops weaponising law to punish those who peacefully protest about the denial of basic rights"

That quote captures the essence of his concerns—a system that currently allows prolonged delays on crucial constitutional questions.

Reforming a clogged system

Justice Muralidhar didn't shy away from critiquing current judicial appointments, noting that the Collegium system hasn't delivered the best candidates. He described appointment processes marked by "unexplained interference by the executive" and a troubling lack of transparency.

He also highlighted the staggering backlog of cases, many of which he called "dead"—cases where parties have died, laws have changed, or the matters involved are pointlessly petty. His call for a reformed Bar Council of India that's democratic and insulated from interference suggests deep structural changes are needed.