CJI DY Chandrachud Talks Of Law Firm Turning Away An Intern Due To His Caste, Calls For Inclusivity In Legal Profession

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Saturday called for inclusivity in the legal profession while recalling an incident where a young student who began his internship at a law office was asked by his supervisor which caste he belonged to. When he revealed his caste he was asked not to return. “I was filled with despair when I heard of this” the CJI said while addressing students at the 31st Convocation Ceremony of National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore.

“As lawyers we are keenly aware of society and its injustices. Our duty to uphold constitutional values is higher than that of other citizens. Yet, this incident shows some lawyers are violating the law, leave aside upholding constitutional values.” He said.

“Lift others up when you have opportunity to. Regardless of the type of lawyers you become, do your bit to make this profession more inclusive", he urged the students.

The Chief Justice also recalled another incident where his late former wife was interviewing for a job at a law firm where she enquired about work timings “there are no working hours, 24x7 and 365 days” the employer had responded. “She asked what about women with families? They said, there is no family life. If you want to join our law firm, get a husband who will do household chores", CJI said recalling the incident.

However, he said he is optimistic that things are changing now.

Stressing on the need to make workplaces more accessible and conducive to women, CJI Chandrachud spoke of how his female judicial law clerks ask to work from home when they are suffering from menstrual cramps. “Last year out of 4 out of my 5 law clerks were women. It is not uncommon for them to call me up in the morning and say, Sir would it be okay if I worked from home today because I am suffering from menstrual cramps. I tell them please feel free to work from home, but take care of your health and rest, because health comes first. It is important that we have these conversations. We cannot pretend that these issues do not exist".

He also spoke on the recent installation of sanitary napkin dispensers in the women's washrooms in the Supreme Court. “If we are to make our institutions equal opportunity work places, these conversations have to take place.” 

The Chief Justice also highlighted the recent handbook released by the Supreme Court for combating gender stereotypes. “We have tried to sensitize our judges, on why we shouldn't call a woman a 'housewife' or use words such as 'chaste' or 'ravished'. We have attempted to sensitise our judges on why these are no longer passable in modern India” he said.

Addressing the young students, the Chief Justice said, “in all these initiatives we launch at the Supreme Court, we are driven by your aspirations of a modern India and social change.”

The CJI’s advice to the young graduates at the threshold of their legal profession was to not sacrifice their principles at the altar of money or fame. “Being a good person and being a good lawyer are not mutually exclusive and if you ever find yourself in a situation when one comes at the cost of the other, I urge you to be a good person first. If the cost of being successful is that we must abandon our values, act against our conscience, or be indifferent in the face of injustice, the price is just too high to pay” he said.

Expressing optimism about the future the CJI said, “your efforts will not be in vain. Society as well as our institutions are malleable. Slowly but surely we are headed towards a more just world.”

Trying to allay the fear of the future in the minds of the young graduates, the CJI urged the students to explore all avenues of law and to not rush to a decision about their career.

"Many of you may be worried about what the future holds for you. Some of you feel like you may have not made the correct decision. I too remember being all of 22 years old and uncertain of the strength of my choices. But after over 4 decades in this profession I can tell you, there is no such thing as a wrong decision. If you embark on a path today, you are not bound to take it for life. Embrace the role with all your heart. Live in the present. If you are dissatisfied you can always choose another profession. Do not be in a rush to decide, explore all avenues available to you, take your time to settle upon a path. Life is long and a few years exploring the possibility and wonders of the law will not disadvantage you. Each job will give you valuable skills which are transferable to other jobs."

"The important thing is that you are happy at the end of each day. And try and ask yourself whether you have left the world around you a little bit better." he concluded.

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