Rehan Khan
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud recently addressed the convocation ceremony at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University, emphasizing the importance of adopting local languages to enhance the effectiveness of the justice delivery system. The Chief Justice remarked how the efficiency of advocacy increases when the lawyer is presenting his case in the language he is comfortable in.
“When I came to Allahabad, after spending my life in Mumbai as a judge at Bombay High Court, it was culturally different for me. The proceedings in Bombay High Court are in English, and I found that before Allahabad High Court, local lawyers would often start presenting their case in Hindi. It made me realize the potential of lawyers to present their case efficiently even in their local language.”
This led to a broader consideration of the importance of local languages in courts globally, of the use of local languages in legal proceedings around the globe, enabling the general public to fight for the challenges faced by their community. He highlighted that in numerous countries worldwide, legal education and court proceedings occur in regional languages, allowing all citizens to engage with the legal system and pursue careers in law. He stressed the importance of effectively teaching fundamental legal principles to students while familiarizing them with local contexts and terminology. This approach, he argued, is essential for nurturing socially conscious lawyers capable of comprehensively addressing local community issues and concerns.
The Chief Justice emphasized the significance of law students being proficient in local languages to enhance public access to legal rights. He elaborated that a recent Supreme Court of India survey revealed challenges faced by ordinary people in understanding their entitlements and schemes due to a lack of English proficiency. Thus, he underscored the importance for future lawyers, especially those working in legal aid, to assist clients in languages they can comfortably understand.
“This is a country of diversities, some based on language, some on region. In Uttar Pradesh, there are different dialects. In Lucknow people speak Hindustani, while in eastern Uttar Pradesh they use Bhojpuri. This begs the question: how can values of justice and the Constitution be made to reach the people”, the Chief Justice observed.
He further remarked that while judges and lawyers can understand English, the common man finds it difficult to comprehend, so decisions should also be provided in regional languages along with English.
The Chief Justice concluded his speech by urging the new graduates to take their societal roles seriously. He encouraged them to be like rain, nurturing growth and fairness, and to stand steadfastly in support of the powerless and voiceless.
In conclusion, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s address at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University convocation ceremony highlighted the pivotal role of local languages in enhancing the accessibility and efficiency of the justice delivery system. By advocating for the integration of regional languages in legal education and proceedings, he underscored the necessity of making the legal system more inclusive and comprehensible for all citizens. His call to the new graduates to embrace their roles as agents of growth and fairness, and to support the marginalized, resonates as a powerful reminder of the profound impact that socially responsible lawyers can have on their communities.