GLC was ours before you: Justice Gautam Patel slams Principal for notice against podcast run by alumni

A public notice recently issued by Government Law College (GLC), Mumbai warning students of legal action for using the college's name in a podcast named 'GLC Law and Lore' has drawn the ire of former Bombay High Court judge and GLC alumnus, Justice Gautam Patel.

GLC Law and Lore is a podcast created by four recent GLC graduates - Anjali Singit, Dhun Vinod Santosh, Jinay Jain and Pakhi More- to document conversations with legal professionals, many of whom are GLC graduates.

The notice signed by Principal Dr Asmita A Vaidya states that the use of the abbreviation 'GLC' in the podcast's name is unauthorised and misleading. It further reads,

"Government Law College, Mumbai has no affiliation or association whatsoever with the platform "GLC Law and Lore." The institution has not endorsed, approved, or collaborated with this entity or its administrators. Any content published by "GLC Law and Lore" does not reflect the views, policies, or official stance of Government Law College, Mumbai."

The notice urges the administrators of the GLC Law and Lore to refrain from using the college name for branding purposes. It warns that continued use of the GLC name "may compel the college to consider further appropriate action."

Justice Patel, who had previously appeared on the podcast, took exception to the notice and shot back a scathing letter to Principal Vaidya. He described the students' efforts as respectful and vouched for them.

"The young students who run GLC Law and Lore are actually proud of being in GLC; and this is their way of giving back to that institution of which many of us are alumni...What does it matter who produces the material so long as it is good?"

He went on to write,

"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."

Having been an alumnus of GLC, he said that students must not be made to shy away from being associated with GLC. Urging the administration to withdraw the notice, he wrote,

"These are our students. They are to be mentored. Their initiatives are to be encouraged, not hammered into oblivion."

The former judge 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.

"No head of an educational institution should go around threatening students with a lawsuit. Know, too, that should you do so, I (and I imagine many others like me) will offer our services to these students. Free."

The GLC Law and Lore team has stated that the podcast was meant to provide young professionals with no legal background insights into the industry.

"Neither we nor our guests have said anything that could remotely harm the college's reputation. If anything, our entire effort has been to celebrate it. Most people don't realise this is fully run by the four of us. From curating questions and inviting guests to editing and funding everything ourselves. We never asked for institutional support."

[Read Justice Patel's letter]