"Question Everything, Have A Spirit Of Enquiry; But Have Fun Too In College" : CJI DY Chandrachud To Law Students

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud urged the law students to have a "spirit of enquiry" and "question everything". 

The CJI was inaugurating the first academic session of the India International University of Legal Education and Research, Goa (IIULER) where he underlined that university education stands for reason, tolerance, adventure of ideas and the search for truth.

"In the academic arena as in life, remember to question everything. The human quality which distinguishes us from other elements of universe is the ability to think and therefore we are. The essence of the legal profession is to question and not to accept. If you start accepting what is before you as social truth, we don't deserve to be lawyers and judges. The basis for our existence as lawyers and judges is, we question and we do not accept what is given to us as a statement of position. Do not take anything to be gospel truth merely because somebody tells you what they are saying is incontrovertibly true", CJI said in the public address at the event on December 3.

Paraphrasing the famous quote of philosopher René Descartes "I think, therefore I am", CJI said "I question, therefore I am".

Urging the professors to inculcate in the students a "spirit of enquiry" which will hold the students in good stead in the legal profession, the CJI said "while questioning the world around you, do not forget to test your opinions on the same anvil. Question yourself, don't only to learn to question others. Examine and re-examine your stands as you learn about the world around you".

Learn for the sake of knowledge, not just for grades

At the same time, CJI cautioned that the "spirit of enquiry" does not mean that one should question everything. It also requires you to be insatiably curious.  The CJI advised the students not to restrict themselves to the prescribed readings with the sole motivation of securing the highest grades.

Mentioning the practice of referring to small guide books knows and "dukkis" in Delhi University or "jhabwalas" in Mumbai, which help one to get an A+ with minimum effort, CJI said, "the test is not about how smart you are getting the best marks with the least efforts. There is something beyond that in learning the law".

"Be curious about each subject and seek to learn for the sake of knowledge itself. There is no out of syllabus question when it comes to knowledge about the world around us", CJI said.

Be open-minded; have fun in college too

CJI told the students that the 5-years of legal education will be transformative both on the personal and professional levels.

"Don't see your education as a mere pursuit of academics but a pursuit of all that is worth pursuing in life. Spare no effort in obtaining knowledge of the subjects you study. But above all, attempt to know yourself. A quest to know yourself is a continuing quest. I don't think I have attained that quest even at this age. You must begin that quest early which is when you see yourself evolving as an individual. Be true to yourself".

CJI appealed to the students to be open minded about diverse cultures, as university is a melting pot of students coming from diverse backgrounds.

CJI also urged the students to enjoy and have fun during the college life by making good friends and by pursuing some hobbies and diverse interests. Education is not restricted to classrooms but spills over to corridors, hostel rooms, canteens and addas.

On this note, the CJI recalled that his time at Delhi University was "great fun". At this juncture, he revealed that he used to work as a radio jockey during his twenties.

"Not many are aware of this but I moonlighted as a radio jockey in my earlier twenties in All India Radio doing programs like 'Play it cool' or 'A date with you' or 'Sunday requests'," he said to a much amused audience

On a lighter note, he said he listens to music at home every day after he is "done with music of the lawyers".

"My love for music persists even today. So after I am done with the music of the lawyers which is not always music to the ears, I go back back and listen to music which is music".

"I encourage each of you to have a hobby, or participate in an activity, which interests you outside of the law. Life is long. You may not remember you scored a grade of 90 instead of 95. But you will regret missing out a best friend's birthday party", he said.

"Do remember to have fun, take your work seriously, but don't take yourself seriously", he commented.

In the address, the CJI also spoke about the need to make the national law schools accessible and inclusive. 

"Cracking the CLAT does not necessarily result in students who have the right ethos to pursue a career in the law, of reflecting the culture of the law in our country as a representative of a just society, a value based society, an ethical society," he said.

Law is a tool for social change

The CJI reminded the students that law is a tool for social change and urged them to use the same for it.

"Law cannot be divorced from social change. Whether you are enrolled for BA LLB Program or BBA LLB program, you must make it your mission to effect societal change. The law is a powerful tool in the hands of people, and even more powerful in the hands of lawyers who are familiar with the inside and outside of the functioning of the courts".

He said that lawyers may not be appearing for the best of the human beings but each appearance will be a learning experience about the human nature and as to why people behave and act in a certain way.