Bengaluru: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday urged graduating law students to uphold justice, defend liberty and remain committed to constitutional values, saying the legal profession demands courage, integrity and the ability to listen to voices that often go unheard.
Addressing the 34th annual convocation of the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru, he stated that legal education must extend beyond traditional academic learning to prepare students for engaging with diverse perspectives and serving society.
He noted that the purpose of legal training reaches further than mastering criminal or constitutional law principles, emphasizing the enriching experience of interacting with individuals who hold contrasting worldviews.
Highlighting the core duties of legal practitioners, the Chief Justice stated that the profession requires more than a deep knowledge of statutes and legal precedents; it also calls for the bravery to stand up for fairness and the modesty to heed the concerns of overlooked populations.
He cautioned the fresh graduates against trading their principles for personal convenience or resorting to professional shortcuts, encouraging them instead to stay firmly anchored in the values they cultivated during their studies.
Reflecting on the fulfilling nature of legal practice, he pointed out that attorneys can find profound satisfaction in rectifying injustices, safeguarding personal freedoms, and upholding the nation's foundational framework.
Concluding his address, he appealed to the graduates to recognize their broader obligations to the country, noting that citizens anticipate contributions that stretch well beyond standard legal practice as they step out into the world as messengers of hope.