Chief Justice of India Suryakant emphasized that students who complete their law studies should stand firm in upholding justice, protecting individual liberty, and safeguarding constitutional values.
Speaking at the 34th convocation ceremony of the National Law School of India University held in Bengaluru on Saturday, after participating as the chief guest and presenting medals to those who secured top ranks in the degree examinations and conferring degrees on students who completed their law studies, he said: Legal education does not end with learning the principles of criminal law or constitutional law.
The true purpose of legal education lies in meeting people who hold perspectives different from ours and understanding their viewpoints. The legal profession is not for the faint-hearted. It requires not only mastery of laws and prior court judgments, but also the courage to uphold justice and the humility to listen to the voices of people who are often overlooked. One must listen to and examine different opinions, and only then make a decision.
One must distinguish between the individual and their opinion. It is important to know how to disagree with those who hold different views without diminishing their dignity. This is what demonstrates intellectual freedom and a fair approach.
Law is not something fixed. It continually evolves through the thoughts and actions of the lawyers who practice it. Every case argued, every contract drafted, every legal opinion given, and every judgment written strengthens the country’s justice system.
The years you spent at law school have prepared you to face the complexities of this profession. You must act with intellectual flexibility, combining moral responsibility with the mental resilience to withstand pressure. Never compromise your principles for convenience. Do not look for shortcuts in your professional life.
Continuing to uphold integrity will secure your professional reputation. At times, you may feel tempted to compromise; there may be urges to act hastily; others may choose easy shortcuts. In such moments, you must let the values you learned at this esteemed educational institution guide you and remain true to them.
By engaging in the legal profession, you can help redress injustices, protect individual freedom, and uphold the values of the Constitution. The sense of fulfillment these bring is immeasurable. As you leave this campus, you are stepping into not just a profession, but a new responsibility as guardians of individual rights and as those who serve the people.
The law will test your patience and your sense of ethics. At the same time, it will offer you the opportunity to correct an injustice, protect freedom, and uphold the Constitution. As you leave here and step out into the world, the nation expects you to act not only as legal practitioners, but also as those who sow hope.
May your professional life be distinguished, your efforts fruitful, and your contributions enduring. Beyond engaging in the legal profession, students should realize the broader responsibility of contributing to the nation and society, he said. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru, and others attended the ceremony.