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Every political party wants an independent judiciary that decides in their favour: Justice Dharmadhikari

Renowned judges and advocates gathered to celebrate the centenary celebrations of Dr TK Tope, and delivered hard-hitting speeches at the same.

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Gopal Subramanium and Justice Dharmadhikari light the candle.
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Dr Tope's Centenary birth celebrations on Friday, began with renowned advocate Gopal Subramanium honoring a photograph of the luminary, followed by a touching speech by his daughter. The celebrations saw attendees such as renowned judges Justice Srikrishna, Justice Chapalgaonkar and Justice CS Dharmadhikari, senior advocates Rafique Dada and Subramaniam, as well as the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shree awarded, Dr. Kanak Rele; amongst others.

It also saw the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Bhutan along with the entire Bhutanese delegation, and four Members of Parliament, grace the occasion before the commencement of the event to pay their respects to Dr. Tope; a man who was their former principal at the Government Law College.

Dr. Trimbak Krishna Tope was a direct descendent of freedom fighter Tatya Tope and was actively involved in the Quit India movement of 1942. He served as Principal of Government Law College (Mumbai) for 17 years, and then became the Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University for two terms. He also held the post of the Sheriff of Bombay. Dr. Tope also worked closely with personalities such as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, both in the drafting of the Constitution, as well as other work in his tenure as Law Minister.

The event included inspiring speeches from the eminent guests, about the conditions of the country, as well as the release of the second edition of Dr. Tope's book on the freedom fighter and social reformer MG Ranade. One of the chief guests, Justice Chapalgaonkar, spoke at length about Justice Ranade, in Marathi, to honor his memory. 

Gopal Subramanium, former Solicitor General of India, empathetically spoke about the constitutional failures in the system: discrepancies in the legislature, arbitration of the civil servants and the misbehavior of the retired judges and judiciary.

"Civil servants in this country have a terrible disadvantage; they are in constant fear. Their families can be attacked, and these are not apprehensions; they are realities. How can they maintain their integrity in such situations?" said Subramanium.

Renowned advocate Rafique Dada and dance maestro Dr. Rele both took a walk down memory lane. Rele, along with Dr. Tope, is credited with establishing the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Mumbai University, while Dada was a student at Government Law College, and later a professor at Mumbai University; during Dr. Tope's tenure.

Justice Dharmadhikari spoke about secularism, inequality of opportunity and the philosophies that the our Constitution and Preamble are based on.

"The biggest minority in India is the Hindu community- because it is not a community at all. It is divided in itself," said Dharmadhikari.

He also spoke about preserving the country for posterity; and how he worried especially for his great-granddaughters.

"My great-granddaughter visited me at my house on Nariman Point. And I could not show her even a single bird around. Will she have a childhood where there is no joy from simple things like bird-watching?".

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