Justice DY Chandrachud, the CJI in line, on Saturday advised fresh law graduates to incorporate feminist thinking in the way they deal with the law, Bar and Bench reported.
All the gold medals that were bagged by female students were an indicator of the times that we live in and the times to come, Justice Chandrachud said while speaking at the ninth convocation of the National Law University, Delhi (NLU Delhi).
“I think it is now time for us to introspect and reflect on how we create conditions where this potential which they express in terms of the medals which they have translates into real time change in our society,” the Apex Court judge was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench.
Justice Chandrachud highlighted that he was struck by the fact that almost all the awards were instituted by men, and that was an indicator of the “times which were” of a male dominated, hugely patriarchal profession and society.
“I am sure that by the time several convocations later, we will have the likes of Isha and Tansee and Nidhi instituting medals in honour of those who have mentored them. I do believe we have crossed the first bride of opening up access to education,” the next CJI said.
On the other side, Justice Chandrachud stressed that that the real challenge of our times would be to convert the potential exhibited by young women into a transformation in Indian society.
Expressing hopes from students, the SC judge urged them to refrain from perpetuating formalistic approaches to law.
He added: “Instead, strive to adopt a legal approach that puts at its centre the live of people who struggle everyday to make ends meet. That is the true redemption of justice.”
Stressing that the legal profession could seem daunting and challenging for women in the judiciary, Justice Chandrachud further added that the barriers were not high in front of their towering dedication.
Justice Chandrachud, acknowledging “unfortunate reality” of the profession, said many aspiring and deserving professionals stay away fromĀ litigation as a result of the low pay that the profession offers.
Legal field, especially litigation, could be daunting for those who did not belong to the established cliques, Justice Chandrachud accepted.
Justice Chandrachud, conversing with young lawyers in this regard, asked them to strive for making the legal profession more inclusive and accessible, since that was one way to to further the goal of justice.
“There is this huge talent in the country which is beckoning for the democratisation of the legal profession. For breaking down its feudal structures. For providing access to the unconnected,” he said.
Law is a means to forge a new future based on the ideals enshrined in our Constitution, the top court judge further added.
Law could be used as an instrument of good or of evil, and the difference would be in those who wield, handle, interpret it and engage with it, Justice Chandrachud highlighted.
“It is incumbent upon you to leave the law, a little better than you found it,” he advised in conclusion.
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