Courts handle complex matters in society: Khurshid

Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid has praised the judiciary's role in the "present contentious society" saying "the courts have not shirked their responsibility".

"In today's contentious society, where there is a dichotomy, where there is a questioning of fundamental values and a reassertion of traditional values, the courts have not shirked their responsibility and do take on some very difficult propositions, including those on which the society is divided," the minister said on Friday at a function organised to honour law teachers.

"I see no reason that stops the Indian judicial system from seeking a place amongst the best in the world. We have the caliber, the history and the basic fundamentals. Only some fine-tuning is required." Khurshid added.

The function was organised by the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) and Menon Institute of Legal Advocacy Training (MILAT) to honour law teachers and law schools of the SAARC region.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice A K Sikri, the acting chief justice of the Delhi High Court, said there is a dearth of law teachers in the country and law students should take up teaching as a profession.

At the function, Delhi University's former Vice Chancellor Professor Upendra Baxi was conferred the "Distinguished Law Teacher" award and Nepal's Attorney General Yuvraj Sangroula, who is also associated with the profession of teaching law, received the SAARC law scholar Award for 2012.