'Practicing Advocate Interacts With A Wider-Cross Section Of Society Than A Corporate Lawyer' : CJI Ramana Encourages NLU Students To Join Litigation

Chief Justice of India NV Raman on Thursday remarked that National Law Universities are perceived as elitist and detached from social realities as most students from these universities end up in corporate law firms instead of joining the ranks of lawyers practicing in Courts across the country. The Chief Justice Of India was delivering the Convocation address at the 8th Convocation 2021 of National Law University of Delhi. The event was also graced by Chief Mister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Justice D.N Patel. "Talking of National Law Universities, I thought it would be relevant to highlight something that I find a little troubling. The primary object behind the establishment of National Law Universities in the country was to improve the quality of legal education in the country to produce better trained legal professionals. However, no authoritative study has been conducted to determine whether this has taken place. Additionally, due to various considerations most students from these universities end up in corporate law firms. Even though such law firms are an integral part of the legal landscape of the country, it is unfortunate that a comparable addition is not being made to the ranks of lawyers practicing in Courts from the National Law Universities. This is perhaps one of the reasons why National Law Universities are perceived as elitist and detached from social realities", the CJI remarked.The CJI also flagged that even after students enter professional universities, the focus is on classroom learning, and not on the world beyond the classroom. He also stated that the focus nowadays is on professional courses to the total neglect of equally important subjects such as humanities and natural sciences. Social change brought about politically conscious students who raised voice against existing inequities The CJI also asserted the importance of the student community in nation building. He stated that most social change and revolutions have been brought about by politically conscious students who raised their voice against social inequities. He also referred to a quote by the Father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi who had once remarked "Youth are agents for transformation". "The history of modern India would be incomplete without acknowledging the role played by students and youth of this country. Many social revolutions and changes were brought about through politically conscious and socially responsible students, who raised their voice against existing inequities. Students have been the face of the Indian independence movement. In fact, the youth have often taken-up certain causes and inspired many political parties to take up the same subsequently", the CJI stated. Diminishing participation of students in social causes The CJI also emphasised that in the past few decades no big leader has emerged from the student community. This could be attributed to the diminished participation of students in social causes after liberalization, he stated further. "Students are known for their readiness to fight for all the right causes because their thoughts are pure and honest. They are always in the forefront, questioning injustice..the importance of students' participation in modern democracy cannot be played down", the CJI stated. He further stated that students are the guardians of freedom, justice, equality, ethics, and social equilibrium. He thus underscored that the educated youth cannot afford to remain aloof from social reality. "Students are guardians of freedom, justice, equality, ethics, and social equilibrium. All this can be achieved only when their energies are properly streamlined. When the youth become socially and politically conscious, the basic issues of education, food, clothing, healthcare, shelter, etc. would come into focus in the national discourse. The educated youth cannot remain aloof from social reality", the CJI stated further. Only about 27% of those in the age group of university students are enrolling for university education The CJI opined further that nearly one fourth of our population still lacks access to basic education. Only about 27% of those in the age group of university students are enrolling for university education, he further remarked. He thus reminded the graduating students of their privilege and accordingly remarked, "While most of you leave these institutes with degrees and titles, always be aware of the world that you are a part of. You cannot remain self-centered. Do not allow narrow and partisan issues to dominate the nation's thought process. This will ultimately hurt our democracy and the progress of our nation." Enrichment of courtroom advocacy is the need of the hourHe further stated that practicing advocates interact with a far wider cross-section of the society as compared to being a lawyer working in a corporate law firm. He further highlighted that an enrichment of courtroom advocacy is the need of the ...

'Practicing Advocate Interacts With A Wider-Cross Section Of Society Than A Corporate Lawyer' : CJI Ramana Encourages NLU Students To Join Litigation

Aaratrika Bhaumik

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