Democracy must allow its citizens to question the government: CM DK Shivakumar at NLSIU

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday said that a strong democracy is not one where everyone agrees with the government but one which allows its citizens to question the government.

At a time when democratic institutions across the world are facing challenges, young lawyers and policymakers have a special responsibility to protect the Constitution and uphold democratic values, he opined.

“A strong democracy must allow its citizens to question the government. A strong democracy is not one where everyone agrees with the government. It is one where every citizen has the freedom to question the government. Never stop questioning, never compromise on your values and never forget the people,” he said.

Shivakumar was addressing graduating students at the 34th convocation ceremony of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) at the Jnana Jyothi Auditorium in Bengaluru.

He urged law graduates to question, debate and challenge ideas while also taking responsibility for finding solutions. Constitutional principles, he said, must not remain confined to textbooks but should guide governance, policymaking and public life.

“India does not merely need more lawyers. We need lawyers with integrity, compassion and courage. You must understand the struggles of ordinary people and speak up for what is right, however difficult it may be,” he told the graduates.

The CM also announced that the Karnataka government would establish a dedicated institution to train law graduates for judicial services examinations and provide continuing education to young lawyers.

The government would also support the establishment of a start-up law clinic at NLSIU, where students, faculty members and lawyers would offer pro bono legal advice to young entrepreneurs, he said.

Shivakumar also flagged the issue of pendency in courts and highlighted that crores of cases remain pending before Indian courts, leaving individuals and families waiting for justice.

“What may be just another case number for us could be someone's entire life. It is essential to make justice faster, simpler, affordable and accessible to everyone,” he said.

He said India's goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 should not be measured merely through economic growth, infrastructure and employment, but also through the dignity, liberty, equality and security enjoyed by its citizens.

Thus, he urged law graduates to look beyond classrooms and asked them to understand the challenges faced by farmers, workers, women and ordinary families.

“The true purpose of education is not merely to shape your own future, but also to improve the lives of others,” he said.

On a personal note, he also recalled that he had once aspired to become a lawyer but entered public life after receiving a party ticket while he was still a student and it led him towards a career in politics.

The ideals of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity espoused by Dr. BR Ambedkar and the framers of the Constitution form the foundation of Indian democracy, he underlined.