Manusrimiti, Arthashastra, Indic Values Must Be Taught To NLU Students; Most Disconnected From Roots : Justice Dharmadhikari

Justice Dharmadhikari added that these graduates were often disconnected from their cultural and ideological roots. The judge stressed that the principles of Jainism, Buddhism, Manusmriti and Arthashastra and the correlation between the texts must be taught to law students to not only bring stability and maturity in their thinking but also to make them enlightened about the greatest organic Indian culture of being extra conscious of our duties and karma.

"We are increasingly witnessing that though NLUs are producing prodigies who are way ahead of their contemporaries, the drawback is that they are graduating with the ultimate aim of becoming millionaires at the fastest pace. Majority of them have a complete disconnect from their cultural and ideological roots. Be it the principles of Jainism, Buddhism, Manusrimiti or Arathashastra. The correlation of all these texts and rich literature must be necessarily known to all the law students. They will not only bring stability and maturity in their thinking but also make them enlightened about the great organic Indian culture of being extra conscious of our duties and karma for which we are born in this great country as a human being," the judge said.

The judge also suggested that the indian history and texts, which have been mirrored in many parts of the Constitution, be incorporated into the curriculum and taught to young law students, especially those studying in premier national law universities in the country.

"It is necessary that a separate dedicated course on Indic sciences, Indian culture, long enduring values and traditions of thousands of years which have sustained the spine of Indian civilization against any and every onslaught allowing it to attain permanence, must be incorporated mandatorily in the curriculum of all the law schools. Stories of pancha tantras, jataka tales, lectures of Chanakyan and discussions and preachings which Ashoka received under adopting buddhi buddhism which have mirrored in various parts of our Indian constitution all need to be taught necessarily to the young law students especially in premier NLUs of the country," he said.

The judge thus said that it was important for law students to have a connect to the core values systems of the society and comprehend the very purpose for which they have chosen law.

“The time is not far when premier law schools may be successful in producing intelligent graduates but thinking like robots and not like human beings with the sensitivity they ought to nurture and develop for serving the common man of the society. All of us have consciously chosen this noble intellectual profession not for becoming rich but respecting the promise that rule of law always acts as the sentinel for every common citizen of the country,” the judge said.

The judge was speaking at the 2^nd NLIU SBA Law Conclave held at the National Law Institute University, Bhopal. He was speaking on the topic “Beyond Colonial Hangovers: Rethinking and Reforming The Western Influence On India's Legal System”.

The judge also remarked that Indianisation of the judicial system is not just a legal reform but a step towards restoring India's legal identity. The judge added that Indianisation of the judicial system makes justice more accessible, culturally relevant and truly reflective of the needs of Indian society.

He added that the colonial hangover was like a fog which was preventing us fro seeking our own landscape clearly. He urged the students to clear the fog. He said that law must not be studies as it is but must be interrogated for what it was meant to do and then rewrite it for what India needs it to be.

The judge also added that rethinking and reforming the influence of western law in India was not about erasing the past, which was the backbone of India's democracy, but on decolonising the mindset of the legal institution. The judge pointed out that even after independent, much of the legal framework procedures and mindset continued to reflect British influence rather than Indian realities.

One of the major issues with the present legal system, the judge pointed out, was its complexity and inaccessibility. The judge added that most of the laws were written in anarchic English which was not understandable for a litigant. If the litigant cannot understand the reasoning of the court, then justice has remained locked behind the colonial gate.

Another issue that the judge highlighted was addressing the judges as lordships or ladyship which reflected a system designed during the colonial times where the common citizen had to plead for justice rather than claim it as a right.

The judge also remarked that the recent replacement of the IPC, CrPC, and the Indian Evidence Act with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam is a significant move. He pointed out that the three new laws repealed the colonial era criminal laws with the intent to move from a punishment mindset to a justice mindset.

The judge also lauded the Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software (SUVAS), which is a concrete step towards Indianisaion of the legal system, enhancing the accessibility of the courts with the objective of promoting regional languages in the judicial procedure.

Lady Justice's Blindfold

The judge pointed out that the new statue of Lady Justice at the Supreme Court, which removed the traditional blindfold, meant that the law was not blind but saw everything, acknowledging the need for awareness and sensitivity to inequalities in society rather than blind impartiality.

“The Supreme Court of India has unveiled a designed statue of Lady Justice. Though traditionally Lady Justice is depicted wearing a blindfold symbolising impartiality and the idea that the law is blind to wealth, power and status. In the new design, the blindfold has been removed emphasising that the law is not blind. It sees everyone equally. The removal of the blindfold signifies a shift of judiciary's evolving identity. One that acknowledges the need for awareness and sensitivity to inequalities in society rather than blind impartiality,” the judge said.

The judge also highlighted that removing the sword from the statue's left hand meant that justice in India was now rooted in constitutional principles, rather than in the exercise of power or force.

"With her eyes open and the constitution in hand, the new statue stands as a symbol of a justice system focused on fairness, equality, and transparency. The removal of the colonial era blindfold and sword reflects a judiciary committed to upholding constitutional values and addressing the social and legal inequalities that persist in modern society," he said.