I had the opinion that today’s Judiciary had other roles and functions besides mere administration of Justice. Judiciary is tested not only for maintenance of democratic spirit and securing social and economic Justice but for maintaining Constitutional sanctity by protecting the basic structure of the Indian Constitution.
Former needs will-power but latter needs courage and self respect. Independent Judiciary is not enough, if it is not strong, even independence and integrity get compromised, if it is not strong. Even otherwise, one can know your independence and integrity, if you manifest the same and for the same also, being strong is necessary. State will always damage the basic structure of the Indian Constituion, protecting the basic structure of The Indian Constitution is the real test of the Indian Judiciary. Independent judiciary itself is part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution.
Primary function of Judiciary is administration of Justice but people do not remember Judiciary for the same since that is none other than a clerical work or otherwise enforcement of law. People always remember Judiciary for its courage and self-respect of being independent and strong.
Judiciary will command sincere respect in society only when Judiciary is not only independent but strong also since people do not like the weak. People will be found saying that he is of course independent but he surrendered before pressure. Even independent weak Judiciary has respect in society but commanding respect in society is something different of next level. In our childhood, we always like our action heroes and even now we like our action heroes not only because they are fighting against unjust system but they are strong as well. Here patience, persistence and perseverance matter for being strong. Maintaining democratic spirit is compulsory, securing social and economic Justice is favour while protecting basic structure of the Constitution is where you display your courage and it is your courage which is celebrated by all and this is extra you are displaying to society and of course worth displaying. Being independent is primary requirement of being a judge and it is indeed an inbuilt feature one gets in a judge. What is valuing, fascinating and gravitating for the people is your courage and your heroism and not merely your being nice, decent and neutral.
People know the value of Constitution that because of that, people get democratic setup and expect for social and economic Justice. And every Constitution carries its inbuilt valuables which are called basic structure.