Delhi High Court Judges Speak On Importance Of Literature And Reading In DHCWLF Literary Club Event

Delhi High Court judges, Justice Jasmeet Singh and Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju, on Friday spoke about the importance of reading in the legal field for lawyers, judges and law students.

The judges were speaking at an event organized by Delhi High Court Women Lawyers Forum (DHCWLF) Literary Club to explore two books- Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh and Liberty After Freedom, authored by Shrayana Bhattacharya and Rohan J. Alva respectively.

During the event, the judges were asked to share their thoughts on importance of literature for lawyers and how one can inculcate the habit of reading.

Justice Singh said that reading is important to break the monotony because lawyers and judges are doing drafting and research all the time and thus, reading helps to break the monotonous schedule.

He also said that reading helps one to see the other person's perspective. The judge added that reading improves an individual's presence of mind and also helps to do advocacy with a sense of humour.

“A well read person will have something to add in the arguments, de hors the legal issues,” the judge said, emphasizing that everyone should read books.

Adding to his thoughts, Justice Ganju said that since lawyers and judges are always reading case files, books are a good investment which helps to expand horizons.

She said that reading also helps in improving vocabulary which is very important in the legal field.

“The only thing I would like to add is please do keep these (books). They are very much important for relaxing and my father used to say that when you are reading, you are imagining what is happening and it is very important for development of mind. Please read books. Please read more books,” the judge said.

Furthermore, both the judges congratulated the DHCWLF for its initiative of having a literary club and said that more such events must be organized.

On the book “Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh”, Justice Singh congratulated the author and that he liked how different women characters in the book want to achieve something in their lives.

He said that he liked the common thread in all the characters of the book- the women who are probably in their 30s or 40s, have some substance in them and have made a place for themselves in the society.

“They are looking for somebody to understand them, someone to love them and I didn't know that Shah Rukh Khan is considered as such a romantic. It is like a Shah Rukh Khan fan club,” the judge said.

Justice Ganju spoke about the book “Liberty After Freedom” and how it captures the evolution of Article 21 of the Constitution of India over the years, through case laws.

She said that the book is not just for the lawyers and law students but for anyone who is trying to understand how the Constitution has evolved over the years.

“This is a great work. I congratulate [the author]. I am very happy to be here,” she said.

The event concluded with the authors speaking about their books. The event was also attended by Delhi High Court Bar Association President- Senior Advocate N Hariharan, as well as other lawyers.