Climate change is not just an environmental issue but a challenge to human rights and justice as well, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna said on Saturday..Climate change, privacy concerns in the digital era and shifting democratic structures are urgent issues that demand legal intervention, he opined."Today, we face challenges that our predecessors could hardly have imagined. Climate change threatens not just our environment but the very fabric of human rights and social justice. The digital revolution raises unprecedented questions about privacy, security, and the nature of human interaction. Democracy itself is being reshaped by new technologies and changing social dynamics. These aren't just abstract problems – they're fundamental challenges to humanity and liberty that demand innovative solutions," he said.The CJI was speaking at the convocation ceremony of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) at Nagpur..He reminded the graduating students that lawyers have historically been at the forefront of social change, from India's independence movement to contemporary battles for civil liberties..He encouraged young lawyers to embrace adaptability and recognize that their legal education was only the beginning of their learning. "The real learning begins now," he stated, emphasizing that law today requires an interdisciplinary approach—from constitutional lawyers engaging with scientific evidence to criminal lawyers grappling with digital forensics..On career uncertainty, he reassured the graduates that uncertainty is natural and that some of the greatest legal minds, including Nani Palkhivala, had not planned for a career in law but excelled through openness to opportunities..The importance of legal aid and mediation was also highlighted, with CJI Khanna noting that India’s legal aid system covers nearly 80% of the population. He urged young lawyers to balance their professional aspirations with public service. "The policy of ‘one for the kitchen, one for the soul’ strikes a balance between our professional aspirations and realizing the full potential of our role as a lawyer," he said. .He advised the graduating students to stay authentic and reminded them that success in the legal profession is not about conforming to stereotypes but about bringing their own unique strengths to the table."Your voice, your approach, your way of thinking—paired with excellence in your work—that's an unbeatable combination," he concluded.
Climate change is not just an environmental issue but a challenge to human rights and justice as well, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna said on Saturday..Climate change, privacy concerns in the digital era and shifting democratic structures are urgent issues that demand legal intervention, he opined."Today, we face challenges that our predecessors could hardly have imagined. Climate change threatens not just our environment but the very fabric of human rights and social justice. The digital revolution raises unprecedented questions about privacy, security, and the nature of human interaction. Democracy itself is being reshaped by new technologies and changing social dynamics. These aren't just abstract problems – they're fundamental challenges to humanity and liberty that demand innovative solutions," he said.The CJI was speaking at the convocation ceremony of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) at Nagpur..He reminded the graduating students that lawyers have historically been at the forefront of social change, from India's independence movement to contemporary battles for civil liberties..He encouraged young lawyers to embrace adaptability and recognize that their legal education was only the beginning of their learning. "The real learning begins now," he stated, emphasizing that law today requires an interdisciplinary approach—from constitutional lawyers engaging with scientific evidence to criminal lawyers grappling with digital forensics..On career uncertainty, he reassured the graduates that uncertainty is natural and that some of the greatest legal minds, including Nani Palkhivala, had not planned for a career in law but excelled through openness to opportunities..The importance of legal aid and mediation was also highlighted, with CJI Khanna noting that India’s legal aid system covers nearly 80% of the population. He urged young lawyers to balance their professional aspirations with public service. "The policy of ‘one for the kitchen, one for the soul’ strikes a balance between our professional aspirations and realizing the full potential of our role as a lawyer," he said. .He advised the graduating students to stay authentic and reminded them that success in the legal profession is not about conforming to stereotypes but about bringing their own unique strengths to the table."Your voice, your approach, your way of thinking—paired with excellence in your work—that's an unbeatable combination," he concluded.
