No regionalism, parochialism, narrow-mindedness: CJI SA Bobde on what is special about National Law Universities

The recent inauguration of an academic building for the Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur saw the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde make pertinent comments concerning National Law Universities (NLUs) and on what could have been India's "national language.".On the subject of NLUs, the CJI opined that there is a "national" character meant to be imparted to the students studying in such institutions, which sets it apart from other law colleges. ."What is so special about a National Law University? I think what is special about it (is) that it is a national university intended to impart a national outlook to all those who study here. Students are drawn from all over the country. The faculty is drawn from all over the country. There is no regionalism. There is no parochialism and there is no narrow mindedness which distinguishes a national law university from an ordinary law college. I am not belittling the quality of law colleges. They do a great job. But it is a sense of national character which a national university has which distinguishes it from any other kind," he said. .His address began on a related note, touching upon the debate on India's official language. Speaking in Marathi, the CJI told the audience about a proposal which was also endorsed by Dr BR Ambedkar to make Sanskrit India's official language on his foreseeing that there would be a conflict over this issue. ."Which language to deliver today’s speech was the question I had this morning. I realised that in our country, this duel is quite an old one. Which language to speak in? Which language to work in? The language of the Court shall be this or that. We have a good number of High Courts in which the official language is English. Some High Courts use Hindi. Some want Tamil. Some want Telugu. Different languages. This subject, I feel, and I want to humbly submit that nobody is paying attention to this. But Dr Ambedkar had anticipated this and he had prepared a proposal. I am not aware whether it was tabled or not. That proposal had the signature of Mullas, Pandits, Priests and Dr Ambedkar himself. This proposal recommended Sanskrit as the official language of the Union of India," CJI Bobde said. .The event also saw CJI Bobde announce that he has nominated Justice BR Gavai to takeover as MNLU's Chancellor, while lauding Justice Gavai's enthusiasm and untiring efforts towards the development of the academic building inaugurated on Thursday. ."I remember all conversations at all odd times, odd hours. Justice Gavai would readily answer, readily talk, readily follow up and do it. There is something about him which is infectious. His enthusiasm. I found that he infected Justice Dipankar Datta with his same enthusiasm. He infected everybody he met with his enthusiasm and eventually we have this building... I want to announce that day before yesterday as chancellor of this university. Congratulations Justice Gave. He is now the Chancellor of the University", CJI Bobde informed. .Further, CJI Bobde expressed his appreciation for the political leaders in Maharashtra, commenting that a change in government has not affected MNLU. Both incumbent Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackarey and former Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis were among the attendees at the event. .Before concluding his address, CJI Bobde also made note to laud MNLU for initiating a course to groom judges i.e. its law programme for Honours in Adjudication and Justicing."Students who graduate from this course will be ready to sit as Judges. They would have undergone professional training. They would have undergone courtroom experience along with district judges and they will start as judges ...The impact of this university at Nagpur is going to be far reaching and I believe much more than others of its kind," he said. .He also commented on the significance of MNLU's unique course on Nyaya Shastra."It has been very difficult to put this course together because most of the original work is in Sanskrit. But it was found worthwhile to put it together… because the judicial system in India is, as well know, is inherited from the British. That is the anglo Saxon model of jurisprudence which uses logic and logic whose origin is Aristotle. After Aristoltle perfected it, it was refined by a Persian scholar... But I spoke to many people equally knowledgeable in all fields like Justice BN Srikrishna and when I saw the textbooks on this Nayayashastra, I found that the Nyaya Shastra which was developed in India is not the least bit inferior to the Aristotlian and the Persian system of logic. I saw no reason why we should forsake, overlook and not benefit from the genius of our ancestors. That is how the courts began and that is unique I think in these parts, though I am told that there are some courses in a South Indian University," the CJI observed. .[Read Press Release]