Participation of students in social causes down since liberalisation: CJI – Times of India

“Any keen observer of Indian society would notice that in the past few decades, no big leader has emerged from the student community. This appears to be correlated with diminished participation of students in social causes after liberalisation,” CJI N V Ramana said in his convocation address at National Law University (NLU) Delhi. “The importance of students’ participation in modern democracy cannot be played down. It is necessary for you to take part in current debates,” he added.

Encouraging students to “emerge as leaders in public life”, the CJI said more and more students must become “socially and politically conscious”.
Addressing a gathering in the presence of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi High Court Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Siddharth Mridul, apart from vice-chancellor Srikrishna Deva Rao, the CJI also spoke his mind on the condition of education.

“In an anxiety to secure highly remunerative and profitable job opportunities, children are sent to exile in privately run residential schools and coaching centres. The formative years of budding talents are spent in a suffocating atmosphere, which unfortunately resembles prisons. Holistic development of a child cannot be achieved in such a restrictive environment,” he observed.

Prepping them for life outside campus, the CJI, who is also Visitor of NLU, said, “Do not get shocked when you see the conditions outside. Courtrooms are not like those represented in movies or moot courts. Cramped courtrooms, judges sitting on broken chairs, stenographers and court masters having to attend court without adequate arrangements, absence of restrooms, etc. would be a common sight.”

The head of the judiciary also appreciated the role of the Delhi chief minister, saying he has been a pillar of strength for NLU Delhi. “I am told he honours every request that is made in the interest of this institution. He is known for his commitment and hard work for the welfare of the people of Delhi. His work in the field of education and healthcare are highly appreciated,” the CJI added.

He also flagged concerns about status of NLUs, saying that these were perceived as “elitist and detached from social realities”. He said it was “a little troubling” that most students from these universities ended up in corporate law firms, adding “it is unfortunate that a comparable addition is not being made to the ranks of lawyers practising in courts” from the NLUs.