---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I believe that open criticism of any…"
description: "\"I believe that open criticism of any institution is necessary in a democracy, to safeguard the constitutional order.\" — Prashant Bhushan"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e8/prashant-bhushan-6062_believe_i-believe-that-open-criticism-of-any-ins_920284.jpg"
---

#  I believe that open criticism of any institution is…

![“I believe that open criticism of any institution is necessary in a democracy, to safeguard the constitutional order.” quote by Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e8/prashant-bhushan-6062_believe_i-believe-that-open-criticism-of-any-ins_920284.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e8/prashant-bhushan-6062_believe_i-believe-that-open-criticism-of-any-ins_920284.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e8/prashant-bhushan-6062_believe_i-believe-that-open-criticism-of-any-ins_920284.jpg)

> “I believe that open criticism of any institution is necessary in a democracy, to safeguard the constitutional order.”

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Open criticism of institutions is essential to protect democracy and uphold constitutional safeguards.

**In simple terms:** Criticizing institutions keeps democracy healthy.

Key Takeaway

Encourage vigilant, respectful critique.

Themes

democracy accountability freedom of speech institutional oversight

Mood

thoughtful concerned

Type

political ethical

When to use this quote

- parliamentary debates
- media reporting
- academic forums
- civil society activism

Key Concepts

constitutional law civic responsibility public discourse

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we balance criticism with constructive reform?
- What safeguards prevent abuse of free speech?

A Different Perspective

Criticism can be misused to destabilize legitimate institutions.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/)

## Related quotes

> [Those who seek to improve our country through peaceful protest and protected speech, I want you to know that your voice is important. Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loretta-lynch/those-who-seek-to-improve-our-country-through-peaceful-protest-and/)

[Loretta Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loretta-lynch/)

> [Of course, the aim of a constitutional democracy is to safeguard the rights of the minority and avoid the tyranny of the majority. (p. 102)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/of-course-the-aim-of-a-constitutional-democracy-is-to-safeguard-the/)

[Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/)

> [Marriage is an institution necessary to the maintenance of society but contrary to the laws of nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/marriage-is-an-institution-necessary-to-the-maintenance-of-society/)

[Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/)

> [One of the worst features of all the plans for sharing wealth and equalizing or guaranteeing incomes is that they lose sight of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-hazlitt/one-of-the-worst-features-of-all-the-plans-for-sharing-wealth-and/)

[Henry Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-hazlitt/)

> [There are many who criticise the United Nations. And those of us who know this institution well know that it is not immune from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-rudd/there-are-many-who-criticise-the-united-nations-and-those-of-us-who/)

[Kevin Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-rudd/)

> [Collective freedom is one devoid of material bondage and one that supports the institutions necessary for democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/collective-freedom-is-one-devoid-of-material-bondage-and-one-that/)

[Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/)

> [I think organized labor is a necessary part of democracy. Organized labor is the only way to have fair distribution of wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolores-huerta/i-think-organized-labor-is-a-necessary-part-of-democracy-organized/)

[Dolores Huerta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolores-huerta/)

> [I have a feeling that climate change may be an issue as severe as a war. It may be necessary to put democracy on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lovelock/i-have-a-feeling-that-climate-change-may-be-an-issue-as-severe-as-a/)

[James Lovelock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lovelock/)

> [The first and continuing argument for the curtailment of working hours and the raising of the minimum age was that education was necessary in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-abbott/the-first-and-continuing-argument-for-the-curtailment-of-working/)

[Grace Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-abbott/)

> [I do think a healthy opposition is very necessary in a democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naveen-patnaik/i-do-think-a-healthy-opposition-is-very-necessary-in-a-democracy/)

[Naveen Patnaik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naveen-patnaik/)

> [We need a more authoritative world...What's the alternative to democracy? There isn't one. But even the best democracies agree that when a major war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lovelock/we-need-a-more-authoritative-world-what-s-the-alternative-to/)

[James Lovelock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lovelock/)

> [I've done what I could as a painter and that seems to me to be sufficient. I don't want to be compared to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/i-ve-done-what-i-could-as-a-painter-and-that-seems-to-me-to-be/)

[Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/)

> [In all institutions from which the cold wind of open criticism is excluded, an innocent corruption begins to grow like a mushroom - for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-all-institutions-from-which-the-cold-wind-of-open-criticism-is/)

[Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/)

> [The thing that's really difficult with it is that, in my job, I'm used to being criticised - especially with the small amount of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-buckley/the-thing-that-s-really-difficult-with-it-is-that-in-my-job-i-m-used/)

[James Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-buckley/)

> [We are Wikipedians. This means that we should be: kind, thoughtful, passionate about getting it right, open, tolerant of different viewpoints, open to criticism,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-wales/we-are-wikipedians-this-means-that-we-should-be-kind-thoughtful/)

[Jimmy Wales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-wales/)

## More by Prashant Bhushan

> [Man's endeavour to cross even the most difficult terrain with railway lines has produced some of the most stunning marvels of engineering of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/man-s-endeavour-to-cross-even-the-most-difficult-terrain-with-railway/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

> [When a few people control the bulk of money, they can not only influence elections by money power - which enables various forms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/when-a-few-people-control-the-bulk-of-money-they-can-not-only/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

> [PM Narendra Modi had promised to bring back black money, which he said could put Rs 15 lakh in each of our pockets. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/pm-narendra-modi-had-promised-to-bring-back-black-money-which-he-said/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

> [Stiglitz is not a Left economist. Indeed, it would be difficult to find a more authentic insider and establishment figure than Stiglitz.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/stiglitz-is-not-a-left-economist-indeed-it-would-be-difficult-to-find/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

> [Both Pakistan and India stand to suffer severe losses in the event of India using military force within Pakistan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/both-pakistan-and-india-stand-to-suffer-severe-losses-in-the-event-of/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

> [When the fascists are through with the Muslims and Christians, they will turn on the others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/when-the-fascists-are-through-with-the-muslims-and-christians-they/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

> [With the passing of Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, who had just entered his 100th year, the world has lost one of the greatest judges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/with-the-passing-of-justice-v-r-krishna-iyer-who-had-just-entered-his/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

> [Implementation of reforms within the Police and Intelligence agencies should certainly improve security and reduce terror attacks. But that will not eliminate the problem.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/implementation-of-reforms-within-the-police-and-intelligence-agencies/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

> [A corrupt judiciary is hardly likely to hold a corrupt executive to account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/a-corrupt-judiciary-is-hardly-likely-to-hold-a-corrupt-executive-to/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

> [With the passing away of Mr Tarkunde, India has lost the father of the Civil Liberties movement in the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/with-the-passing-away-of-mr-tarkunde-india-has-lost-the-father-of-the/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

> [When I said that the court should be willing to suffer even intemperate criticism, I did not mean that people should level intemperate criticism.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/when-i-said-that-the-court-should-be-willing-to-suffer-even/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

> [Having enjoyed enormous powers, including the power of contempt, without any accountability, the higher judiciary has over the years, trampled the toes of many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/having-enjoyed-enormous-powers-including-the-power-of-contempt/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

> [Chinese engineers have spent years finding solutions to the problems of building a railway line on permafrost ground at altitudes above 4,000 metre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/chinese-engineers-have-spent-years-finding-solutions-to-the-problems/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

> [A Judicial Bureau of Investigation under an independent Judicial Complaints Commission, should be set up to investigate complaints against judges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/a-judicial-bureau-of-investigation-under-an-independent-judicial/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

> [The judiciary is the only institution in the country which remains totally unaccountable. There is no institution with disciplinary powers over the judiciary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/the-judiciary-is-the-only-institution-in-the-country-which-remains/)

[Prashant Bhushan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

[Explore all 100 Prashant Bhushan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/)

## More Believe quotes

> [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/)

[Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/)

> [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/)

[Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/)

> [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/)

[Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/)

> [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/)

[Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/)

> [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/)

[Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/)

> [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/)

[Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/)

> [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/)

[Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/)

> [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/)

[Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/)

> [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/)

[Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/)

> [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/)

[Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/)

> [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/)

[James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/)

> [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/)

[Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/)

Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I believe that open criticism of any institution is necessary in a democracy, to safeguard the constitutional order.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Prashant Bhushan"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/i-believe-that-open-criticism-of-any-institution-is-necessary-in-a/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Believe"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/i-believe-that-open-criticism-of-any-institution-is-necessary-in-a/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e8/prashant-bhushan-6062_believe_i-believe-that-open-criticism-of-any-ins_920284.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e8/prashant-bhushan-6062_believe_i-believe-that-open-criticism-of-any-ins_920284.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e8/prashant-bhushan-6062_believe_i-believe-that-open-criticism-of-any-ins_920284.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I believe that open criticism of any institution is necessary in a democracy, to safeguard the…” — Prashant Bhushan",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Prashant Bhushan",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prashant-bhushan/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I believe that open criticism of...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/i-believe-that-open-criticism-of-any-institution-is-necessary-in-a/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prashant-bhushan/i-believe-that-open-criticism-of-any-institution-is-necessary-in-a/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
