He was addressing the national conference on ‘Legal education’ jointly organised by the Karnataka State Law University (KSLU) and the Bar Council of India here on Tuesday. “We have been opposing FDI in education,however, it is very difficult to keep off foreign companies as long as the Indian government is party to several international treaties,” he said.

Thus, in this complex situation, the onus is on the law teachers and universities to play a crucial role in protecting the country’s interests, its resources and people. Hence, our laws must be strengthened and made flawless, he added.

Efforts lauded

He appreciated Karnataka’s bold initiatives in this regard.

BCI’s Law Education Directorate Director A B Coutinho said there was no need to fear the entry of MNCs. However, only the legal system in India had to be strengthened to prevent the exploitation of the country’s resources by foreign firms.

Aptitude test

He said the BCI had already decided to conduct an entrance test, as assessing the fresh graduates’ aptitude for practising law was essential. The new system will be put into place this year. Also, the Law Education Directorate will initiate several measures to improve quality of law education, he added.

Presiding over the function, KSLU Vice Chancellor J S Patil said the university was initiating various measures to streamline law colleges. Inculcating a sense of social responsibility among law students is required, he added.

Karnataka State Advocate General Ashok Harnahalli, Chief Minister’s legal advisor K Diwakar, Bar Council member M Jagdish and others were present.