Incorporate feminist thinking like dealing law: Jus. Chandrachud

New Delhi: Law graduates must incorporate feminist thoughts as same as they deal with the law, Supreme Court judge Justice DY Chandrachud said on Saturday.

Addressing the 9th convocation of National Law University, Delhi, he expressed his admiration at the number of female students who won gold medals in the university, IANS reported.

According to him, it was an indicator of the times the world is living and the times that are yet to come.

"But I was also struck by the fact that almost all gold medals have been instituted by Shri so and so. And that's an indicator of the times which were of a male-dominated, patriarchal profession and society we live in....," he said.

"We must understand the rule of law does not depend merely on the Constitution or on legislation; it largely depends on the political culture and the citizens, especially young legal professionals like you," he said.

He said that law is a means to create a new future based on the Constitution-proposed ideals rather than an antidote to prevailing social values. It can only do so much until citizens are willing to participate in its endeavour, IANS reported.

"We live in a society governed by the rule of law. Rule of law, if understood and implemented properly, is a defence against oppressive structures such as patriarchy and casteism," he said.

He told law graduates, "I would like to particularly advise you to incorporate feminist thinking in the way you deal with the law."

Further, he recounted that he used to sit on the criminal roster as a junior judge in the Bombay High Court with Justice Ranjana Desai. He said that working with a colleague who adds more diverse exposure to realities of gender gave him the necessary feminist perspective.

He advised students to see beyond the self-centred vision of their own existence, and they must strive to make the legal profession more inclusive and accessible. According to him, there was sufficient creativity in the law.

He said that women lawyers are facing challenges in a male-dominated profession. But, during the pandemic, when the court proceedings turned virtual, the number of women lawyers appearing in the court increased considerably.

So, technology has been a great enabler in liberating young women today in their access to the legal profession," he said.