Justice Sanjay Karol said the Constitution carries compassion for every human being, not just Indian citizens, while urging law students to “live the Constitution.” He called the Constitution his favourite book and a reminder of duty.
Supreme Court Judge Justice Sanjay Karol on Friday said that the Indian Constitution carries a deep sense of compassion for every human being on Earth, not only for Indian citizens.
Speaking at Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU) in Jabalpur, Justice Karol stressed that the constitutional spirit is not limited to national boundaries but extends to humanity as a whole.
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He said,
“The Constitution is not just for the citizenry of this country. Compassion towards all human beings on this Earth is there in the Constitution,”
He reminded the audience that more than 238 lawyers worked on the making of the Constitution and highlighted the importance of reading it as a constant reminder of duty and responsibility.
The judge said,
“I read one section of the Constitution everyday. So I am reminded of my duty and my obligations. The constitution is my favourite book,”
Justice Karol explained that awareness and communication are the two biggest challenges in a democratic society. Understanding the Constitution, he said, is only the first step, and the next step is sharing that knowledge with others.
He said,
“The challenge before you is two fold. First is awareness – of what is written in the Constitution. Second is telling your neighbour what is written in it. We are living in a small world,”
He urged law students to remember the sacrifices made by the framers of the Constitution and treat law as a noble service, not just a career for money.
Justice Karol said,
“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,”
The judge also gave an interesting comparison between popular culture and courtrooms, saying that every case is a story that lawyers and judges must truly feel.
He said,
“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 also reflected on values like secularism, the importance of technology, and the responsibility of young lawyers in reducing social inequalities. He defined secularism as giving respect and space to one’s neighbour, similar to how courts listen to every side.
“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,”
the top court judge said.
He encouraged young students to use technology but also warned them to be cautious of its misuse.
Justice Karol said,
“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,”
He also spoke about how courtroom dramas in films and series often give a wrong picture of the legal profession.
Justice Karol said,
“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,”
Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, also addressed the event. He called the Constitution a living document that adapts with time and reminded young law students of their responsibility.
Justice Sachdeva said,
“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,”
He urged students to give their career a larger purpose and serve people who still do not have proper access to legal help.
Justice Sachdeva said,
“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,”
Advocate Siddharth R Gupta, who spoke earlier, also reminded the youth that their foremost duty was to protect judicial institutions and ensure that justice prevails in society.
“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,” Gupta said.
Justice Karol concluded his speech by urging students to always remain connected with the Constitution and live by its spirit.
Justice Karol said,
“Be alive. And live the Constitution is all I can say,”
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