New Delhi: Addressing the joint conference of the Chief Ministers and the Chief Justices of High Courts at Vigyan Bhawan on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that judiciary is a 'divine' profession and it should have an internal mechanism of self-assessment.


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The Chief Ministers of all the states and Chief Justices of all the High Courts were invited to the conference.


While Union Law and Justice Minister DV Sadananda Gowda gave a welcome speech, the Chief Justice of India, HL Dattu later presided over the working sessions.


While addressing the conference, PM Modi said that he does not want to talk about issues that are conventionally spoken in these forums and would not add anything new.


“I'm well aware of this conference. Earlier, it was conducted at a smaller scale and there was no media. I used to sit among chief ministers and today I'm sitting here. When I was there, I used to speak my heart and held open dialogue and discussions. We are all same kind of individuals carrying out different responsibilities as per our potential and capabilities,” he said.  


Talking about judicial system, PM Modi said that what the people in judicial system do is 'divine and God has sent them to carry out this divine responsibility.


“Yours is an extraordinary responsibility and people of nation have high expectations from you. HL Dattu ji was talking about quality manpower. We need to look at the manpower that is coming in this field in the coming years,” he said.  


He further added, “'The quicker we get technology in this field, the easier it is to bring about a qualitative change. Judiciary should be both powerful and perfect. This is the place that is trusted by the common people.”


"Our law universities also need proper manpower for drafting. If we do not do this problems may increase," he said.


Stressing on the need to ensure accurate judgement, PM Modi said, "It is easy to deliver judgments based on the law and the Constitution. There is a need to be cautious against perception-driven verdicts," he said, adding that "perceptions are often driven by five star activists".


Calling the political class lucky, he said that people can watch, assess and rip apart politicians, but judiciary is not lucky enough in this regard.


"If the politicians or the government make a mistake, there is a scope to repair the damage by the judiciary. But if you commit a mistake, then everything will end," he said.


The conference is periodically held to address pressing issues relating to the administration of justice in the country. The last such conference was held on April 7, 2013.


Here watch the conference video:



(With Agency inputs)