Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Jul 13: Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, speaking at the convocation ceremony of NALSAR University of Law, delivered a candid assessment of the Indian legal system, saying it is facing unique and pressing challenges and is "badly in need of fixing." He highlighted the issue of chronic trial delays, where undertrials spend years in jail before being found innocent, as a glaring example of the system’s inefficiencies.
Despite the criticism, the CJI expressed cautious optimism, believing that the country’s citizens—particularly its legal minds—have the capacity to tackle these systemic issues. He stressed the need for investment not only in institutions but also in ideas, mentorship, research, policy development, and innovation, in order to build a stronger and more ethical legal framework.
Justice Gavai encouraged law graduates to pursue higher studies abroad if possible, but only through scholarships, cautioning against burdening their families financially. He warned students not to confuse a foreign degree with self-worth and urged them to avoid decisions driven by peer pressure or superficial urgency. “There is no age bar to learning,” he said, calling for thoughtful, measured choices.
Drawing from personal experience, he spoke about how crucial mentorship and early support were to his own journey. “Someone believed in me before I believed in myself,” he said, urging graduates to seek mentors with integrity—and eventually, to become mentors themselves. He called on the legal fraternity to build a “community of care” that uplifts rather than intimidates.
The CJI also addressed the challenges faced by returning Indian scholars, who often find the country’s academic and legal institutions unwelcoming or under-resourced. He said that for India to retain or bring back its brightest minds, it must create nurturing environments that offer transparency, merit-based growth, and dignity in legal research.
Justice Gavai didn’t shy away from describing the legal profession as demanding, often isolating and emotionally taxing. He reminded students that success in law requires consistent learning and a firm grounding in basics—there are no shortcuts. He acknowledged that young lawyers often feel pressured not only to succeed but to appear successful, a burden that can lead to hidden struggles. “Don’t hide them,” he urged. “Find your community.”
The convocation was also attended by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Supreme Court Judge Justice P.S. Narasimha, and Acting Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court Justice Sujoy Paul, who presided over the event.