Chief Justice urges law students to use their learning to further social transformation
Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka Vibhu Bakhru on Monday called upon law students to look beyond classrooms and courtrooms and use their
Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka Vibhu Bakhru on Monday called upon law students to look beyond classrooms and courtrooms and use their legal education as an instrument of social transformation, saying that the true purpose of studying law lies in protecting justice, human dignity and constitutional values. Inaugurating the fifth zonal workshop, From Classroom to Courtroom: Law Students as Catalysts for Social Justice, organised jointly by the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA), the Karnataka State Law University, Hubballi, and law colleges under the Kalaburagi Zone at the PDA College of Engineering auditorium, Mr. Bakhru said that legal education should not remain confined to theoretical learning but must prepare students to serve society. “The courtroom of tomorrow is shaped by the values cultivated within classrooms today,” he said and urged students to move beyond textbooks. They should actively participate in legal aid, legal literacy and community outreach programmes, he said. Referring to Article 39A of the Constitution, Mr. Bakhru said that access to justice becomes meaningful only when it reaches the poorest and the most marginalised sections of society.
The Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 and institutions established under it have been working to provide free legal aid, organise Lok Adalats, promote mediation and create legal awareness among weaker sections of society, he said. He said that Legal Services Clinics in law colleges bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-life legal practice by exposing students to legal aid camps, village outreach programmes, mediation, client counselling and community interaction. Such initiatives, he said, help students develop communication skills, professional ethics, leadership qualities and social sensitivity while reinforcing the humanitarian dimension of the legal profession. Bakhru also appreciated the contribution of law students to KSLSA’s legal awareness campaigns across the State, saying their involvement has significantly helped in achieving the objective of access to justice for all. He described the zonal workshops as an important initiative to strengthen Legal Services Clinics and encourage practical legal education. Judge of the High Court and Chairman of the High Court Legal Services Committee R.
Devdas, who presided over the function, said that legal education must remain closely connected with society and public service. He observed that the journey from classroom to courtroom is not merely a professional transition but a transformation of knowledge into public responsibility. Legal awareness, he said, is often the first step towards social justice, especially in rural and marginalised communities where people remain unaware of their rights and legal remedies. Urging students to participate in legal literacy campaigns, village outreach programmes and legal aid initiatives, Mr. Devdas said that meaningful contributions to justice begin during student life itself. He also called upon law colleges to effectively implement the Standard Operating Procedures issued by KSLSA for Legal Services Clinics. Delivering the special address, Judge of the Karnataka High Court and Executive Chairperson of KSLSA Anu Sivaraman said that law students should emerge as socially responsible professionals committed to justice rather than merely pursuing successful careers. She said that legal education should cultivate analytical thinking, ethics, constitutional values and social awareness while encouraging students to engage in legal aid camps, legal literacy programmes, mediation, prison legal aid, cyber safety awareness and women’s and child rights initiatives.
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