Politics · India Bureau
Unchecked misinformation breeds authoritarianism, warns Supreme Court judge
Justice Bhuyan has cautioned that societies accepting unverified claims without critical scrutiny become vulnerable to authoritarian forces. Speaking at a regional university, the judge emphasised that scientific thinking must extend beyond academia to empower youth with rational decision-making abilities.
LSN India ·
A Supreme Court judge has warned that societies which embrace unverified information while discouraging questioning create fertile ground for authoritarianism to take root. Justice Bhuyan, addressing students and faculty at the University of Science and Technology in Meghalaya, stressed that accepting claims without verification represents a fundamental threat to democratic values.
The judge argued that developing scientific temper in India must transcend laboratory settings and laboratory curricula. Instead, it should encompass the broader intellectual capacity of youth and students to think critically, analyse evidence, and question assumptions across all spheres of life—from politics to social discourse.
Justice Bhuyan underscored the importance of shifting societal mindsets away from divisive frameworks that pit groups against one another. He invoked the constitutional Preamble's vision of "we the people," urging citizens to embrace a collective identity rooted in shared democratic principles rather than fragmentary identities based on sectarian interests.
The remarks come amid growing concerns about misinformation and polarisation in India's public discourse. Justice Bhuyan's intervention highlights the judiciary's perspective on the interconnection between rational thought, informed citizenship, and the preservation of democratic institutions.