Law School Darshan: Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, Lucknow

To visit Lucknow is to stroll into a very living past, to see hints of a time that once was. To bite into the scrumptious chaat that is served close to the (original) Sadar bazaar, is to experience a tiny, calorie-laden bit of heaven. To sip kullads of chai accompanied by “muska bun” and stare at the old crumbling houses around you, is to dip into welcoming nostalgia. Of course, my company had something to do with it, a bunch of prospective lawyers. The random conversations swoop in and out amidst laughter, leg pulling and deliciously foul language..Born as a vague idea close to three years ago, the Law School Darshan has had its’ highs and its’ lows. Much like life, I suppose. The visit to the Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University in Lucknow was one of the highs. Of that, there is little doubt..-x-x-.It is my first day here and I am walking around the campus with a couple of fifth-years. One of them points to a student standing in the hostel balcony. “Fourth year” he says; he then points to another student walking to the library, “Must be a second year.” In response to quizzical looks, he provides an interesting explanation..First and second years can usually be identified with their enthusiasm, walking to the library with a spring in their step. By the time the student hits the fourth or fifth year, there is a jaded cynicism in his appearance; a paunch or two may start making initial appearances. There is also a definite listlessness in his or her demeanor; the exact words used were “mara hua”..-x-x-.It is my second day at Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University, and I am convinced that it has the best physical infrastructure amongst all national law schools. You have a well-stocked library with ample seating area, a centrally air-conditioned academic building, multiple fields and good sporting facilities. The hostels are large and comfortable, as are the faculty quarters. There is a massive mooting hall, an equally large auditorium and even a full-size swimming pool. There is very little to complain on this front. Given the kind of State patronage this university enjoys, there is little chance of funds running out..One last thing worth mentioning here is the question of fees. Given that the median annual fees at the CLAT law school hovers around the two-lakh region, the fees at RMLNLU is half of that at just over a lakh of rupees per year. That certainly makes it an interesting proposition in purely economic terms..-x-x-.I am sitting in the library and listening. The final year boy (man?) in front of me is telling me how his legal education helped him secure an educational loan for his friend. He is telling me how his legal education helped his village receive drinking water. And he is telling me how his legal education has helped him overcome his fears, fears of the English language, fears of officialdom and the fear that comes with demanding your rights. He is making me wonder whether the discourse on legal education is being unfairly hijacked by employment statistics. And he is making me wonder what a legal “education” should be about..-x-x-.If nothing else, Professor Gurdip Singh brings in a long list of credentials. .I am sitting in his office and he is talking about his experiences over the last few decades. It has been an interesting journey for Singh. But setting the past aside, the fact of the matter is that it was Singh’s appointment that has had a positive impact. Classes are now being being held regularly, administration hurdles have been smoothened out, and faculty members have been given tenure. The last one is particularly relevant given that most faculty appointments are on a contract basis..Over the course of the interview, Singh talks about his days in Delhi University and the days when he left IIT because he was unable to afford the fees. He eventually went on to become the Dean of Law at DU; it means that Singh is an extremely well connected individual. Now whether he can use these connections to raise the profile of RMLNLU is something time will tell..But perhaps the biggest test of Singh’s abilities will be in how well the CLAT is conducted next year; he plans to bring the entire process online. It will, no doubt, be a test of his administrative skills..-x-x-.I am sitting in the large auditorium and watching the Teacher’s Day celebrations. It is a very private affair, not in terms of numbers, but rather in the reactions of both the students and the faculty. When a particularly popular prof is called on stage, the crowd goes absolutely bonkers, screaming out catch phrases that only “insiders” would understand. There are a few instances where you can feel the genuine respect of the student body, coupled with a very warm and honest affection. I get some idea of why one would choose to teach..-x-x-.Like any other institute, things are certainly not hunky dory at RMLNLU. There are still a number of vacant positions in the faculty, and the academic environment can certainly improve. There are instances of “core” legal subjects being taught by faculty members whose expertise lies elsewhere. In fact, this is a frequent occurrence at most if not all law schools so it would be unfair to single out RMLNLU..Profile builders such as journals, and conferences are still in the making and will require some serious time and effort. The alumni network will take time to develop although there are already formal efforts to have alumni visit the institute every year. Lastly, Lucknow may be an exciting city for some, but not all would agree.