Reckless Individualism Poses Threat To Institutions: CJI Ranjan Gogoi

GUWAHATI: Chief Justice of India Justice Ranjan Gogoi on Sunday expressed grave concern over threats faced by the hallowed institutions of the country due to ‘reckless individualism’.

“Such individualism presupposes that the concerned individual is the guardian of the world’s conscience. Such individualism also propounds that whatever the individual thinks is the only way to redeem and protect an institution,” Justice Gogoi said while addressing a solemn function at historic Cotton University (formerly Cotton College) here on Sunday evening.

He said the phenomenon was more visible in the present age of social media and information highway, and hence technologically driven, too, such as fake news.

“Fake news seeks to mask its oblique objectives. Such unbridled and reckless individualism also seeks to operate in darkness and under camouflage. It is important for us to be vigilant. It is time for the overwhelming silent majority to stand up and speak in one voice so that these institutions and nation-building continue uninterrupted,” Justice Gogoi observed. He also said dissent and debate and dissent are cornerstones of democratic way of life.

Justice Ranjan Gogoi, who inaugurated the Cotton Alumni House at Cotton University campus, recalled two distinct and fond memories of his academic life at Cotton College during the early part of seventies. He joined Cotton College after passing the Matric examination way back in 1969.

Addressing particularly the younger and present generation of Cottonians, Justice Gogoi said life is unpredictable but there is no substitute to hard work to achieve one’s goal. He exhorted the younger generation not to be disheartened even as they are facing several incidents of injustice.

Congratulating the Cotton College Alumni Association for its various activities to carry forward the glorious legacy of the revered institution, Justice Gogoi said it is a matter of proud that Cotton College has contributed significantly to the process of nation building. He said the growth of Cotton College is iconic.

During the function, Justice Ranjan Gogoi gave a cheque of Rs 1 lakh as his individual contribution to Cotton College Alumni Association.

Cotton Alumni House has a 1,000- square feet (sq ft) conference hall, a 300-sq ft office room and a care taker’s room on its ground floor. On its first floor, it has a conference hall measuring 1,400 sq ft, two guest rooms and on its second floor, the Association has kept around 800-sq ft set aside for an IT centre. The Alumni Association is eager to turn the Alumni House campus into an area of buzzing activities for the greater interest of Assam.

Earlier, Chief Justice (Acting) of Gauhati High Court Justice Arup Kumar Goswami, Vice Chancellor Bhabesh Chandra Goswami and secretary of Cotton College Alumni Association Dr Satyendra Kumar Choudhury spoke at the Sunday’s function. Several former Cottonians, prominent citizens from different walks of life and faculties of Cotton University attended the function.

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