Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, while addressing the 34th annual convocation of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru on Saturday, urged graduating law students to uphold justice, defend liberty and remain committed to constitutional values. The legal profession demands courage, integrity and the ability to listen to voices that often go unheard, he asserted.
CJI Raises Concerns Over Attempts To Disrupt NLSIU Event
Acknowledging the attempts by the "certain external forces" to disrupt the NLSIU event, he said a few unexpected and unfortunate circumstances brought with them a sense of uncertainty, reported TOI. The CJI said for a while it seemed that this occasion might not unfold quite as it was hoped. Justice Kant is also the university’s chancellor. His statement was referred to recent controversies around the NLSIU. However, he did not specify in his speech.
The CJI cautioned the graduates against compromising their principles for convenience or taking shortcuts in their professional lives. He urged them to remain guided by the values they had imbibed at the institution.
The legal education must go beyond academic learning and prepare students to engage with diverse perspectives and serve society, he said, adding that the purpose of legal education extends beyond learning the principles of criminal or constitutional law; it rests in the invigorating experience of encountering those who see the world differently than they do.
Emphasising the responsibilities of the legal profession, Justice Kant said it required not only knowledge of statutes and precedents but also the courage to stand up for justice and the humility to hear the concerns of those whose voices are often overlooked.
"The legal profession is not for the faint of heart. It demands not only the mastery of statutes and precedent but also the courage to defend what is just, and the humility to listen to voices that are often unheard," he said.
Hear Different Viewpoints Before Forming Judgments: CJI
He also stressed the importance of intellectual independence and fairness, urging graduates to hear different viewpoints before forming judgments and to respect the dignity of those with whom they disagree.
"This intellectual independence also calls for fairness: hearing before judging, distinguishing a person from a position and disagreeing without denying another person's dignity," he said.
The CJI said the law was not static but evolved through the minds and actions of those who practised it, with every case argued, contract drafted, advice given and judgment written contributing to the larger architecture of justice in the country. He said the years spent at law school had prepared graduates to navigate the complexities of the profession, combining intellectual agility with ethical responsibility and the resilience to withstand pressure.
(With PTI Inputs)