Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant addressed students at the convocation ceremony of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru on Saturday. The event marked a significant return to the campus for the Chief Justice, coming exactly two months after a scheduled convocation was postponed following opposition from students and alumni regarding his presence.
During his address, delivered in his capacity as Chancellor of the university, CJI Kant acknowledged the vibrant nature of the institution, often referred to as the “Harvard of the East.” He noted that the university has witnessed its share of student activities, including flash mobs and courtyard gatherings, before shifting his focus to the rigorous demands of the legal field. He remarked that the profession is not suited for the “faint-hearted,” as it requires a blend of intellectual independence, fairness, and the critical ability to listen to others before reaching a judgment.
The CJI highlighted that the practice of law involves more than just a mastery of statutes and legal codes. He emphasized the importance of possessing the courage to advocate for justice and the humility to hear voices that might otherwise be ignored in a noisy environment. According to the CJI, the legal profession demands the ability to distinguish between an individual’s identity and their position, advocating for a culture where disagreement does not equate to a denial of another person's dignity.
Addressing the graduating class, CJI Kant stressed that the purpose of legal education extends beyond the realms of criminal and constitutional law. He encouraged the new graduates to broaden their perspectives by engaging with real-life situations where people may perceive the world through vastly different lenses. He suggested that law is a field that will continuously test a practitioner’s patience and ethical standards, requiring them to tap into deep reserves of courage.
The Chief Justice also spoke about the rewards of the profession, characterizing them as a sense of service. He noted the satisfaction that comes from addressing wrongs, defending liberty, and upholding the Constitution. He reminded the students that as they depart the campus, they are not merely entering a job, but embarking on a lifelong calling.
The ceremony was attended by Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The event concluded without the disruptions that had led to its earlier postponement, as the university moved forward with its academic calendar. This convocation ceremony serves as a milestone for the graduating batch, marking their formal transition from the academic environment of the NLSIU into the professional legal sphere.
As the graduates prepare to begin their careers, the CJI’s message underscored the evolving nature of the legal system in India. The emphasis placed on intellectual independence and ethical integrity remains central to the vision of legal education promoted at the institution, aiming to prepare students for the complex social and legal challenges they will encounter in their future roles as advocates, judges, and legal experts.
Comments