Kerala High Court Judge, Justice Murali Krishna speaks after inaugurating the golden jubilee celebrations of SDM Law College in Mangaluru on Saturday. Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade and others look on.
Credit: DH Photo
Mangaluru: Senior Advocate of the High Court Uday Holla on Saturday urged law students to uphold value systems in the country, especially at a time when such values are perceived to be eroding.
Delivering the Founder’s Day lecture during the golden jubilee celebrations of SDM Law College in Mangaluru, Holla highlighted the prevalence of corruption in the country. He called upon students to take an oath to remain free from corruption and to uphold ethical values.
Describing lawyers as “social engineers of society,” he emphasised their role in alleviating the struggles of the marginalised and empowering weaker sections through legal mechanisms such as representative suits in district courts.
Holla underscored the noble and service-oriented nature of the legal profession, urging lawyers to secure justice for litigants and promote fairness.
Citing data shared by Law Minister Kiren Rijiju in the Rajya Sabha, Holla noted that India has only about 21 judges per million people, compared to the 50 judges per million recommended by the Supreme Court in 2002. He added that, even in 2024, India is far from achieving this benchmark, while Western countries have a much higher ratio. This shortfall, he said, contributes significantly to the enormous backlog of cases in Indian courts.
Highlighting Dharmasthala’s reputation for justice, Holla remarked that people bring disputes to Dharmasthala’s Dharmadhikari for resolution. Although these decisions hold no legal standing, they are widely accepted due to the public’s belief in their fairness and divinity.
Holla also emphasised the transformative power of education in empowering individuals and building the nation. He lauded SDM Law College for fostering critical thinking and a deep understanding of justice over the years. He encouraged the college’s alumni to establish scholarships for deserving students from weaker sections who cannot afford fees and to institute endowments for recognising the best outgoing students.
Kerala High Court Judge, Justice Murali Krishna, an alumnus of SDM Law College in his inaugural address stated that among the three pillars of democracy, the judiciary commands the greatest trust and dependence from the people. He attributed this to the judiciary’s foundation in the Constitution, which was drafted by many freedom fighters who were also law graduates. Their understanding of human life and the role of law resulted in a robust Constitution that protects citizens, particularly the marginalised, from arbitrariness. Justice Krishna called on future lawmakers to stay connected with the realities of life.
Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, D Veerendra Heggade revealed that his late father had envisioned him as a lawyer, but his father’s passing led him to assume responsibility for Dharmasthala, where he began dispensing justice. “Instead of becoming a lawyer, I directly became a judge,” he quipped. Heggade emphasised that law and dharma are rooted in ethics, describing law as a guide to discipline and social behavior. He called for laws that prioritise social justice and align with ethical values.
Supreme Court Senior Advocate Rohith Rao, College former principal Arala Rajendra Shetty and others were present.