‘Make legal education dynamic to get best lawyers, judges’
| Date :19-Aug-2019 |
Justice Ranjan Gogoi, CJI, after unveiling the plaque of permanent campus of MNLU at Waranga. Justice Sharad Bobde, Justice Bhushan Gavai, Justice Pradeep Nandrajog, Justice R K Deshpande, Prof Dr Vijender Kumar and Prof C Ramesh Kumar also are seen.
Staff Reporter:
Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi performs bhoomipujan for permanent campus of Maharashtra National Law University at Waranga
“Law schools must shed their image of ivory towers and instead root legal education in their tradition and weave it around dynamism so that Bar gets good lawyers and country best of the Judges. One is saddened at current state of affairs in legal profession, also scared of what would happen to the new entrants. Therefore, we must do things little differently and a little better,” Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi exhorted.
The CJI was addressing the gathering at Waranga on the sidelines of ground-breaking ceremony of permanent campus of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur, on Sunday. Elaborating his vision about legal education in the country, Justice Gogoi said, “Even as one feels happy at development of new institution, it is also a time for reflection as to how it will contribute to the social well being. MNLU must think over its vision as in ever expanding assembly of law colleges and NLUs an institution must be able to stand out in the crowd.” Justice Sharad Bobde, Judge, Supreme Court, and Chancellor of the University, presided over the function.
Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister; Justice N V Ramanna, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Bhushan Gavai, all Judges of Supreme Court; Justice Pradeep Nandrajog, Chief Justice, High Court of Bombay, and Pro-V-C of University; Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Guardian Minister; Justice R K Deshpande, Senior Administrative Judge, Nagpur Bench of High Court of Bombay; Prof (Dr) Vijender Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, MNLU, Nagpur, were guests of honour. Expressing concern over disturbing aspects in the profession, the CJI asked all stakeholders to deliberate as a little different perspective has gained ground and sadly become very strong today, while referring to increased reluctance among youngsters to join the legal profession.
“This sign is not good as youngsters tend to drift away and the damage thus is colossal as such trend in general affects the process of enhancement in the profession that in turn affects contribution to social good, consequently the nation-building process is hampered,” Justice Gogoi opined. “In this light the question is, what should be the aim of legal profession and its answer will define how we can train people for the same,” said the CJI while quoting eminent lawyer Nana Palkhiwala who shed light on what lawyers must stand for. “Unless and until law schools make people ready for sacrifice which is beneficial to society, the purpose of having law schools is lost. In fact, it is the duty of law schools to imbibe knowledge in young students about law and society that are closely inter-connected, and flourish or perish together,” said Gogoi.
Concluding his address, CJI appealed MNLU to ensure that it makes judicious use of scarce resources and get recognised for quality legal education so that in future one can be proud of being associated with it. Earlier, Justice Bobde outlined the vision for MNLU and said, “It is embarking on introducing course of Nyayshastra, one that is long rooted in our tradition. Current legal system is rooted on concept of Aristotle but one forgets about contribution of Al Farad, a Muslim scholar, who also espoused logic base for determination of justice. Also a Judicial Training Academy for State officers dealing with legal aspects in various stages is also on the cards.
This would ensure that courts are not burdened as the trained legal officers of State can minimise litigation.” Justice Bobde mentioned that the idea about NLU at Nagpur was first put up by Justice (Retd.) Vikas Sirpurkar and now that it is taking shape and one feels happy. Also under able supervision of Architect Paramjit Singh Ahuja, the campus which is going to be one of the greenest and net zero in energy, also recycling water be it surface, rooftop, drainage. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari reiterated his stance -- need for conversion of knowledge into wealth.
“We have to concentrate on research and student and the vision of students must be at par with international standards. One must engage in intensive research on all important national and international legal issues,” the Union Minister said while expressing firm belief that the standard of this University will meet international level. At the outset Prof (Dr.) Vijendra Kumar, V-C, gave introductory remarks while Prof C Ramesh Kumar, OSD, Academics and Construction, proposed a vote of thanks.