After backlash from ex-students, GLC withdraws notice against podcast run by alumni

Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai has withdrawn its earlier notice against a podcast called GLC: Law and Lore run by its former students.

The notice dated July 31 had threatened legal action against the alumni running the podcast and urged them to stop using the abbreviation 'GLC'.

The latest notice signed by Principal Dr Asmita Vaidya states that the response of the GLC: Law and Lore team was placed before the Governing Council.

"The members of the Governing Council have also seen the past podcasts. On consideration of the issue, the Governing Council has asked me to convey its no objection to the continuation of the podcast."

Additionally, the Governing Council has asked that the podcast be clarified to be an alumni-run initiative.

"The Governing Council has asked me to request you to add an appropriate line to the effect that the podcast is an alumni initiative and not an official podcast of the Government Law College.

In light of the aforesaid, the public notice dated 16th July 2025 stands withdrawn."

The administration's earlier notice had drawn the ire of former Bombay High Court judge and GLC alumnus, Justice Gautam Patel. In a scathing letter to Principal Vaidya, the retired judge wrote,

"Your only objection seems to be to the use of the abbreviation ‘GLC’ without your prior benediction. This will undoubtedly come as a shock to you but many of us carry a piece of GLC with us, and will do so for all our lives. GLC is not a trade mark nor a service mark. It is the name of an institution and when we, and our students, use it, the intent is only to convey a sense of belonging, something that should be a matter of pride to you and the GLC administration. I for one refuse to say that I studied law at An Institution That May Not Be Named For Want Of The Principal’s Permission."

Justice Patel described the college's warning of legal action against its own alumni as 'contemptible and disgraceful' and said that he and many other lawyers who are GLC graduates will offer pro bono legal assistance to the students if needed.

Other illustrious alumni of the institution also criticised the notice, calling it "misconceived". Senior Advocate Sharan Jagtiani said,

"The students who have started this initiative are wonderful and thoughtful and intelligent. They do not deserve to be in this spotlight. They should be spoken of for the good initiative they have taken. This will and should be resolved without any litigation."

[Read GLC withdrawal notice]