1. About Soli J. Sorabjee
Soli J. Sorabjee (1930–2021) was a prominent Indian jurist and legal scholar. He is best known for his tenure as the Attorney General of India, a position he held from 1998 to 2004, and then again from 2004 to 2009. Sorabjee was widely respected for his deep understanding of constitutional law and his advocacy for human rights.
Soli J. Sorabjee made significant contributions to Indian constitutional law. He was known for his strong advocacy of civil liberties, freedom of speech, and human rights. He played a key role in ensuring that India’s judiciary remained independent and that civil liberties were upheld. His work on the legal framework of India, especially in the context of the Constitution, left a lasting impact on India’s legal landscape.
Sorabjee represented several high-profile cases in the Supreme Court of India, including matters relating to the freedom of expression, privacy, and the rights of minorities.
In addition to his work in India, Sorabjee was involved in international legal forums. He served as the Vice-President of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and was also a member of the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
2. Quotes by Soli J. Sorabjee
“Once you choose law as a profession, you don’t retire till you die”.
~ Soli J. Sorabjee
"Lawyers don’t live on love and fresh air, but if a client has suffered at the hands of justice, the lawyer must always be there to help irrespective of the fees he receives. That’s what makes it a noble profession, otherwise lawyers will become just another commercial racket.”
~ Soli J. Sorabjee
"In countries like India where fundamental rights are violated every day, whether in flouting of labour laws, illegal detentions, discriminatory actions, and other violations, one may wonder what response may be given to a cynic’s taunt about the futility of fundamental rights. The answer is that guaranteed fundamental rights empower citizens and groups fighting for justice to approach the court. It also provides opportunities for vindicating the Rule of Law. It also establishes norms and standards which can be used to educate people to know, demand and enforce their basic rights. It has a salutary effect on administration which is made aware that it has to conform to the discipline of fundamental rights. Above all, a Bill of Rights, Part III enumerating Fundamental Rights, is a constant reminder that the powers of the State are not unlimited and that human personality is priceless."
~ Soli J. Sorabjee
"Rule of Law is not a one way traffic. It places restraints both on governments and individuals. If the underlying principles of Rule of Law are to become a reality in governance as also in our lives laws are no doubt necessary but they alone are not sufficient. In addition development of the Rule of Law culture is imperative. The only true foundation on which the Rule of Law can rest is its willing acceptance by the people of each country until it becomes part of their own way of life. Therefore we should strive to instill the Rule of Law temperament, Rule of Law culture at home, in the schools and in universities. We should strive for the universalization of its basic principles. Our effort should be to constantly aim at the expansion of the Rule of Law to make it a dynamic concept which not merely places constraints on exercise of official power but facilitates and empowers progressive measures in the area of socioeconomic rights of the people."
~ Soli J. Sorabjee
"The fundamental immaculate premise of human rights is that a human being is not mere mass and molecules but there is a spiritual spark in every individual irrespective of race, religion, creed, caste, color, language, sex or status. The rationale of human rights is that human personality is invaluable. It is not expendable. The human rights flow from the common humanity and the inherent dignity of every human being and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family. It is a fallacy to regard a Bill of Rights as a gift from the State to its citizens. Individuals possess basic human rights independently of any Constitution by reason of the fact that they are members of the human race. A Bill of Rights does not 'confer' fundamental human rights. It confirms their existence and accords them protection. Its purpose is to place them beyond the reach of majorities and government officials"
~ Soli J. Sorabjee
"No country has a monopoly on democracy or freedom of expression. No court has a monopoly on truth or wisdom. Each has to make its individual contribution to the quest and attainment of a just and decent society in which freedom of expression is cherished as an indispensable value. In that quest may we be guided by the humble spirit of the Vedic saying: "Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides"."
~ Soli J. Sorabjee
"No doubt, there can be and have been problems with PIL. The three pitfalls or perils of PIL are that it may degenerate into private interest litigation; political interest litigation; and publicity interest litigation. Litigants, lawyers and even judges are not immune from these perils. It is at times forgotten that PIL is not a pill for every ill, such as trams not running on time or rise in the price of onions. Besides, PIL can be abused, it can add to the burden of arrears and in some cases lead to confrontation with the executive. Nonetheless, it can be confidently said that it is due to PIL, that the enjoyment of fundamental rights has become a living reality, to some extent, for at least some illiterate, indigent and exploited persons. Numerous prisoners languishing in prisons awaiting trial have been released; persons treated like serfs and held in bondage have secured freedom and have been rehabilitated; conditions of inmates in care homes and in asylums for the insane and condition of workers in stone quarries and brick kilns have been ameliorated. Juristic activism in the arena of environmental and ecological issues and accountability in the use of the hazardous technology has been made possible and has yielded salutary results."
~ Soli J. Sorabjee
"It is due to the basic structure doctrine that provisions for periodic free and fair elections cannot be repealed from the Constitution, nor can it be provided that elections would take place if and when Parliament determines instead of every five years, as the former would make a mockery of democracy. The basic structure doctrine has ensured that the judiciary cannot be deprived of the power of judicial review nor can the rule of law be abrogated. Again, it is due to this doctrine that federalism cannot be obliterated and States cannot be made vassals of the Centre. These, to my mind, are tangible and substantial benefits flowing from the basic structure doctrine which has above all, preserved the integrity of our Constitution. This is not a mean achievement, for which we are thankful to our Supreme Court."
~ Soli J. Sorabjee