Thread by @lawbarandbench

Supreme Court Justice Sanjay Karol to shortly speak on “Awareness to Action: Youth as catalysts for constitutional responsibility in modern India” at Dharmashashtra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur.

#SupremeCourt #JusticeSanjayKarol #DNLU

Adv. Siddharth R Gupta: the foremost duty of the youth is to protect, promote the justice delivery in the judicial institutions and every person who is a part of it.

Gupta: it is the duty of the youth to contribute to the formation of a social order where every person is able to exercise their right to the fullest without impinging on the rights of others.

Gupta: the foremost responsibility is to ensure that dharma prevails in the country. Dharma means rule of law. The youth is obliged to translate it to reality. Youth has to endeavour to uphold Ram Rajya.

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva (Chief Justice, MP High Court): the constitution is a live document. It can change, it can adapt to changing times. As youngsters you have the responsibility to ensure that the provisions of the constitution are implemented in their letter and spirit.

Justice Sachdeva: legal aid is not able to reach the people. Give your life a meaning. Do something for the people who are not able to get legal aid. This profession is very dicey. Because it is one where you have to study your whole life…Don’t give up your passion.

Justice Sanjay Karol: do you watch Netflix? Every semester is like a season. Every semester has a story. Likewise every case in Court has a different story. Every case file has a life. Feeling that life, diving into it, and deciding on it is justice.

Justice Karol speaking at the event:

Justice Karol: the spirit and not the letter of the constitution is important for us. There were more than 238 lawyers who had contributed to the making of the constitution. When you read the preamble, the first word is “We the people”. It is nothing else but “I”.

Justice Karol: I read one section of the constitution everyday. So I am reminded of my duty and my obligations. The constitution is my favourite book. The constitution is not just for the citizenry of this country.

Justice Karol: Compassion towards all human beings on this Earth is there in the Constitution. The challenge before you is two fold. First is awareness. Of what’s written in the constitution. Second is telling your neighbour what’s written in it. We are living in a small world…

Justice Karol: we must recollect and remember what our forefathers have sacrificed. This is a very very noble profession.

Justice Karol: there never used to be classes in our times. We never used to go to classes. Today law is the first choice. Then who didn’t fit anywhere did law. Today parents’ choice has become law.

Justice Karol: you can be a practising lawyer, a corporate lawyer, a journalist, a faculty, and even an influencer. These are the opportunities.

Justice Karol: our elders used to tell us this is a gentleman’s profession. You are entering a profession which demands service to the society. When you join the profession there is no dearth of money. There is no competition amongst each other. You are your own competitor.

Justice Karol: you have to live a life. Your VC will tell you not to bunk classes. But you will bunk classes, gossip, eat junk food etc. the best way to have yourself grow is to understand your country, your village, your district, your state. Travel as much as you can.

Justice Karol: our society over the years has intermingled with different faiths and beliefs. This is what secularism is all about. when we talk about secularism, it is to give space to our neighbour. Listen to him, see what he is saying. That’s what we do in Courts.

Justice Karol: use technology as much as you can. But don’t be misguided by all that is put up there. Judging is nothing… but thinking thinking thinking about what’s written in the constitution.

Justice Karol: Travel, do legal service, interact with people. Only then you will find solutions. Should you join this profession there is no substitute to hard work. There is space for everyone for coexistence in this profession.

Justice Karol: have you seen the picture Oh My God? The way movies ridicule the judiciary. They say vakalat dukaan hai. Aisa bilkul nahi hai. The Netflix series Mamla Legal Hai- how that lady advocate totte ko le ke… be alive. And live the constitution is all I can say.

Justice Karol: overall development of your personality is a must. If you see the world you will have a multi dimensional personality.

Justice Karol ends his speech and accepts the memento by the Vice Chancellor of the University.