Law's Outcome Depends On Who Wields The Law In Their Hands : CJI DY Chandrachud

Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud recently spoke on how justice and the outcome of the law depends on who is wielding the law in their hands.

“When the law is wielded with compassion, it is capable of producing justice, when it is wielded with a sense of arbitrary power it yields injustice. The law is the same, the outcomes depends on who wields the law in their hands. I mean not just the judges and lawyers, but civil society. “

He was speaking at the convocation ceremony of the Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Aurangabad on Sunday (September 17). CJI is the Chancellor of the MNLU.

“The substance of law is grounded in compassion and a tradition of humanism. There is no law really, if the law exists apart from the quest for justice. The very same law you learnt including Section 302 (murder) and Section 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code, was used to send our freedom fighters away to places ranging from Mandalay in Burma to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The same law today has different aspirations", he went on to say.

Addressing the graduating law students at MNLU, the CJI said that the younger generation wields the conscience of the nation. He spoke on the importance of reasoning and dialogue in the legal profession. He also highlighted the importance of inclusivity and not just tolerance.

“The law teaches you a spirit of enquiry. It asks you to question. The law also brings with it traditions of reasoning and dialogue. It is a substitute to a call to arms, violence and distrust. What marks our profession out from others is reasoning and dialogue. We do not shoot people who are not of the same view as us. We do not ostracize people who do not eat like us, dress like us, believe like us. We value them because our profession stands by a spirit of reasoning and dialogue. Our profession represents a tradition of inclusion, which is something more than tolerance. When you respect people different from you, you recognise the need for inclusion. The recognition that people of all hues in our society are entitled to live the same good life.”

He also reassured the graduating students that it was normal to be unsure of one’s career path sometimes, especially at the very beginning.

“When I joined the profession in 1982, I always wondered what next in the law. I think to be confused at this stage of your career is legitimate. Even today I tend to be confused If I ask myself on the next path of life that I choose to chart out for myself. So don’t be despondent by the fact that you are not certain on what you want to do. Life is full of opportunities. But should you decide to become lawyers and pursue this path of life, I can assure you that it will be as satisfying, any other branch of life that you choose to follow.” he said.

The CJI spoke on how law is more than just concepts and craft. “It is about understanding society, of understanding those who are marginalised and less fortunate than you.” he said.

The CJI in his address also stressed on importance of giving and on trying to shed our biases as individuals. He also advised the graduating students to take their work seriously but to not take themselves too seriously.

"If I were not to take my work as Chief Justice of India seriously, I would not be justifying the faith people put in me. But if I take myself too seriously, I am sure many of you would say there goes another pompous judge.” he said. 

He also reminded the students, that there is a world outside of law and one’s career. “Life is not just a courtroom or a library, life is also a dance floor, a playground, a canvas waiting for your unique strokes.” he said. 

“Remember that while the law may be black and white, life is a dazzling array of colour. Embrace the shades of experience, embrace the hues of diversity and the vibrancy of our passions. These will enrich the tapestry of your life. Never forget the first step of the ladder and most importantly never kick it when you're are at the top"

“Step forward with unwaivering confidence, your legal education has equipped you to create a positive impact in the world.” he said in his concluding statement.

Justices Abhay S Oka and Dipankar Datta, judges of the Supreme Court and Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court were also present at the event.