Supreme Court Judge Says Rational Thinking Protects Society From Authoritarianism

A society that accepts unverified claims and fears questions becomes vulnerable to authoritarianism, according to Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan. Speaking at the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya on October 31, 2026, he warned that such a mindset prevents reform of unjust practices and leaves people defenceless against misinformation.

Scientific Temper

Justice Bhuyan stated that building the scientific temper mentioned in Article 51A of the Constitution must go beyond laboratories. He urged students and youths to develop a rational mindset, an attitude of inquiry, and an openness to examination. This habit of inquiry stops people from accepting the first explanation they hear and trains them to search deeper for reasons.

Constitutional Unity

Public discourse often relies on emotional resonance and unverified assertions, but society must demand empirical evidence instead. The judge also cautioned against the destructive binary of 'us' and 'they'. He called for a shift toward the 'we' found in the Preamble of the Constitution, noting that unity can coexist with diversity without demanding uniformity or erasing individual identities.

Context

Article 51A of the Indian Constitution lists the fundamental duties of citizens, which includes developing a scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform. University campuses have historically served as key spaces for public debates on constitutional values and critical thinking among young citizens in India.