Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant delivered a powerful convocation address at Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) in Patna on Saturday, placing compassion and empathy at the very heart of a functional legal system. He called upon the new generation of legal professionals to consciously steer the arc of justice towards society's most vulnerable and needy sections.
The Core Message: Law as a Lifelong Discipline of Empathy
Speaking to the graduating cohort, the CJI cautioned them against losing their "finer sensibilities" in the relentless pursuit of career success. He presented a profound philosophical cornerstone for their future work, stating that empathy is the sole factor that separates a just society from an unjust one. It is this quality, he emphasized, that guarantees justice reaches the oppressed and those without a voice.
Justice Surya Kant reframed the common perception of legal practice, urging graduates not to view law as a mere "race to success." Instead, he described it as "a lifelong discipline built on patience, integrity and craftsmanship." He encapsulated this idea with a memorable assertion: "Law is not a sprint, but a long and deliberate journey."
Constitutional Promise and the Legacy of Chanakya
The CJI reminded the young lawyers that the legitimacy of law is derived from the people it is meant to protect. "Whether you choose litigation or public service, academia, judicial service or any other path, never lose sight of this fact," he advised. He highlighted the highest calling of their profession: using legal skills to amplify the voices of the unheard and restore dignity to the overlooked. In doing so, he said, they would honour both their education and the constitutional promise of justice for all.
Connecting his message to the university's namesake, the ancient thinker Chanakya, the CJI cited the principle that greatness is earned through deeds, not bestowed by birth or position. He told the graduates, "Your degrees are not symbols of where you come from; they are acknowledgements of what you have already demonstrated."
A Ceremony of Achievement and New Beginnings
The convocation was a landmark event for 1,134 students who received their degrees. This included 34 PhD scholars, 339 postgraduates, and 761 undergraduates. Furthermore, 76 students were awarded medals for exceptional academic performance.
Drawing from his own extensive experience of nearly four decades in law, the CJI offered a final piece of wisdom: "The law has an uncanny way of humbling even the most prepared minds." He framed this not as a criticism, but as an "invitation to grow and to develop resilience."
The ceremony was presided over by Patna High Court's Acting Chief Justice and CNLU Chancellor, Justice Sudhir Singh. University Vice-Chancellor Professor Faizan Mustafa presented the annual report, detailing CNLU's recent academic accomplishments.
The event saw a distinguished gathering, including State Education Minister Sunil Kumar, Supreme Court judges Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Rajesh Bindal, several judges from the Patna High Court, and senior civil servants. Registrar S P Singh led the academic procession.
Adding to the significance of the day, the newly constructed Ashoka auditorium and CNLU's cybersecurity and digital forensics centre were officially inaugurated on the occasion.
