CJI Surya Kant Inaugurates Commonwealth Peace Mediation Conference in Jaipur

CJI Surya Kant inaugurates Commonwealth Peace Mediation Conference in Jaipur, calls 'mediation' the foundation of social harmony

Jaipur, July 31

Inaugurating the three-day conference at The Lalit Hotel, Justice Surya Kant added that mediation provides a platform where every voice is heard and no individual or group dominates another.

The conference has brought together judges, mediators, legal experts, attorneys general, academicians and policymakers from 52 Commonwealth nations to deliberate on strengthening mediation and the rule of law.

The conference, organised jointly by the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority (RSLSA), Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) and Nivaaran, will conclude on August 2.

Addressing delegates, Justice Surya Kant said Jaipur's foundation was rooted in the ideals of social harmony and inclusive governance, making it a fitting host for a global dialogue on peace mediation.

"When I was preparing my remarks for today, I came across an interesting fact about the city of Jaipur. The city was designed on the principles of harmony, balance, and proportion. Its planners ensured that no single part of the city would overwhelm another. Every street, every square, and every public space was conceived as part of a larger, coherent whole. I cannot imagine a more fitting venue for a convention on peace, mediation, and the rule of law," he said, adding, "For that is precisely what mediation teaches us, that no single voice, however powerful, should be allowed to overwhelm another. Every voice deserves to be heard, every perspective deserves consideration, and every participant deserves dignity. Mediation is, at its core, an exercise in restoring balance."

"Friends, we have assembled here to deliberate on a theme that, at first glance, may appear paradoxical: Peace, Mediation and the Rule of Law. This conference seeks to correct a long-held assumption that peace and the rule of law belong to different worlds. They do not. Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, nor is it the absence of law. Peace is the law's finest achievement, Supreme Court Judge Justice Surya Kant said.

Recalling India's long tradition of community-based dispute resolution, Justice Surya Kant said that long before the formal legal system evolved, village disputes were resolved through Gram Panchayats.

"Those who mediated disputes in villages were not merely arbitrators; they were also community leaders entrusted with maintaining harmony and guiding society," he added.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma said that Rajasthan has emerged as a leader in alternative dispute resolution, ranking second in the country in resolving cases through mediation.

He said the vision of the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant is to use mediation as an instrument to strengthen social harmony and public trust in the justice system.

"A modern legal system should not only deliver justice but also ensure participation of the most marginalised sections of society," Justice Sharma said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said India's civilisational ethos has always favoured dialogue before confrontation.

He cited the examples of Lord Rama, who sent Angad as a peace envoy before the battle in the Ramayana, and Lord Krishna, who sought reconciliation before the Mahabharata war.

"These examples remind us that mediation succeeds only when there is willingness to listen. If one side refuses dialogue, even the greatest efforts cannot prevent conflict," he said.

Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said India's traditional 'Panch Parmeshwar' system represents one of the earliest forms of mediation and continues to inspire the country's approach to dispute resolution.

He added that rapid technological developments such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and Industry 4.0 have created new categories of legal disputes, particularly in cross-border commerce, requiring faster and more effective mediation mechanisms.

"Justice achieved through dialogue creates a more peaceful society. A strong justice delivery system strengthens both democracy and the economy," the Minister said, urging greater reliance on mediation instead of prolonged litigation.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said court disputes often consume people's time, money and resources for years without fully resolving underlying conflicts.

"Mediation offers permanent and sustainable solutions. Our traditional Panchayats resolved not only disputes but also the bitterness between the parties," he added.

The Chief Minister said that the Centre has taken several initiatives under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen institutional mediation across the country.

He also noted that legal aid has been extended to 5.85 lakh people in Rajasthan.

Hari Om Attri, Member Secretary of the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority, said mediation provides a practical solution to judicial delays.

"While litigation may continue for years, mediation enables disputes to be resolved within a few months, saving time, cost and preserving relationships," he added.

During the inaugural session, a book titled "Death of My Mistress-The Law; Birth of My Love-Justice", authored by Supreme Court Senior Advocate Aruneshwar Gupta, Vice-President of the Resolution Institute, was released.

The conference is expected to culminate on August 2 with the adoption of the Jaipur Peace Mediation Declaration 2026, a document aimed at establishing shared principles on mediation, conflict resolution and the rule of law for Commonwealth nations.

— IANS