Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra addressing the All India Advocates Council.
Ahmedabad: Supreme Court judge Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra said that the increasing use of divisive rhetoric on the basis of religion, caste and race is a major challenge to the constitutional ideals of fraternity as well as the feeling of unity in the country. Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra was addressing the gathering on the topic ‘Fraternity: The Spirit of the Constitution’ at the meeting of the National Council of All India Advocates Council, a lawyers’ organization, at Vadtal in Kheda district of Gujarat. He warned that the use of identity politics by political leaders to seek votes could deepen social divisions.
‘Without brotherhood other ideals become weak’
Justice Mishra said that divisive ideologies, increasing economic inequality and social injustice are major threats to the spirit of brotherhood. He said that maintaining brotherhood is a ‘shared responsibility’ of common citizens, institutions and leaders. He said, ‘Fraternity among the ideals of liberty, equality and justice is the unifying thread that binds the fabric of our democratic society and without fraternity, the other ideals weaken. A major challenge to the brotherhood is the increasing use of divisive rhetoric on the basis of religion, caste and race. When individuals or groups promote things that pit one community against another, it weakens the spirit of unity envisioned by the Constitution.’
‘Divisive rhetoric creates distrust’
Justice Mishra said identity politics sometimes strengthens marginalized groups but can be harmful when it focuses only on narrow group interests at the expense of well-being. He said this often results in ‘exclusion, discrimination and conflict’. Justice Mishra said, ‘Divisive rhetoric creates mistrust between communities, leading to stereotypes and misunderstandings. These tensions can turn into social unrest. Furthermore, when political leaders use social identity for electoral gain, it deepens these divisions, making it harder to build a collective sense of belonging.’ (Language)
