Constitution carries within it compassion for all human beings on Earth and not just the citizens of India, Supreme Court Justice Sanjay Karol said on Friday.

Speaking at Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur, Justice Karol underlined that the constitutional spirit must extend beyond national boundaries.

“The Constitution is not just for the citizenry of this country. Compassion towards all human beings on this Earth is there in the Constitution,” he said.

He reminded the gathering that more than 238 lawyers had contributed to the making of the Constitution and emphasised that reading it is a reminder of duty and obligation.

“I read one section of the Constitution everyday. So I am reminded of my duty and my obligations. The constitution is my favourite book,” the judge said.

Justice Karol stressed that awareness and dissemination were central challenges in a democratic society. He said that understanding the Constitution is only the first step, and that the next step is to share that knowledge with others.

“The challenge before you is two fold. First is awareness - of what is written in the Constitution. Second is telling your neighbour what is written in it. We are living in a small world,” he said.

He told students that they must recollect the sacrifices of the framers of the Constitution and treat the legal profession as a noble calling, not merely as a career choice. He also reminded them that opportunities in law are diverse - ranging from litigation and corporate practice to academia, journalism and even influencing.

“Our elders used to tell us this is a gentleman’s profession. You are entering a profession which demands service to the society. When you join the profession there is no dearth of money. There is no competition amongst each other. You are your own competitor,” Justice Karol said.

The judge drew parallels between stories in popular culture and stories before courts, urging students to feel the life in every case file.

“Do you watch Netflix? Every semester is like a season. Every semester has a story. Likewise every case in Court has a different story. Every case file has a life. Feeling that life, diving into it, and deciding on it is justice,” he said.

Justice Karol further reflected on secularism, technology and the role of young lawyers in bridging social gaps. He explained secularism as an act of giving space to one’s neighbour and said courts function in the same spirit by listening to every voice.

He advised students to travel, engage in legal service and interact with people as a way of building solutions and growing as professionals

“Our society over the years has intermingled with different faiths and beliefs. This is what secularism is all about. When we talk about secularism, it is to give space to our neighbour. Listen to him, see what he is saying. That’s what we do in Courts,” the top court judge said.

He also encouraged students to use technology responsibly and to remain guarded against it.

“Use technology as much as you can. But don’t be misguided by all that is put up there. Judging is nothing… but thinking thinking thinking about what’s written in the Constitution,” Justice Karol said.

During his address, Justice Karol also talked about courtroom dramas to explain how the legal profession has often been misrepresented.

“Have you seen the picture Oh My God? The way movies ridicule the judiciary. They say vakalat dukaan hai. Aisa bilkul nahi hai. The Netflix series Mamla Legal Hai...how that lady advocate totte ko le ke… be alive. And live the Constitution is all I can say,” Justice Karol said.

Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva also addressed the gathering. He reminded students that the Constitution is a living document and it places a special responsibility on the younger generation.

“The Constitution is a live document. It can change, it can adapt to changing times. As youngsters, you have the responsibility to ensure that the provisions of the Constitution are implemented in their letter and spirit,” Justice Sachdeva said.

He also asked law students to give their careers a larger purpose by serving those deprived of access to justice.

“Legal aid is not able to reach the people. Give your life a meaning. Do something for the people who are not able to get legal aid. This profession is very dicey. Because it is one where you have to study your whole life…Don’t give up your passion,” Justice Sachdeva said.

Advocate Siddharth R Gupta, who spoke earlier at the event, stressed that the foremost duty of the youth was to safeguard judicial institutions and ensure that justice prevailed in society.

“The foremost responsibility is to ensure that dharma prevails in the country. Dharma means rule of law. The youth is obliged to translate it to reality. Youth has to endeavour to uphold Ram Rajya,” Gupta said.

Justice Karol concluded his address by urging students to live the Constitution, cultivate compassion and pursue holistic growth.

“Be alive. And live the Constitution is all I can say,”

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