Justice Surya Kant Speaks at NHRC 33rd Foundation Day

Justice Surya Kant stated that courts must intervene when constitutional rights are violated during an address at the 33rd Foundation Day of the National Human Rights Commission in New Delhi. Speaking on October 12, 2026, he emphasized that the Constitution makes far-reaching promises to every citizen, encompassing dignity, equality, liberty, and justice.

Addressing the gathering in New Delhi, Justice Surya Kant noted that human rights commissions must investigate complaints, identify systemic failures, and ensure that concerns remaining otherwise invisible are properly addressed. He remarked that a right that works exclusively for the powerful while failing the powerless functions merely as a privilege, stressing that protections must reach those who struggle to make their voices heard.

Highlighting specific human rights concerns, Justice Surya Kant cautioned that access to drinking water cannot be considered adequate merely because a household possesses a physical tap connection. He emphasized that the water supply must remain safe, reliable, and available whenever needed, warning that contaminated water poses a direct threat to life under the framework of fundamental rights.