Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has underscored the importance of fairness, wisdom, and a contextual understanding in the dispensation of justice, stating that it should extend beyond mere judicial pronouncements.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Chief Minister Sukhu made these remarks on Sunday while addressing the third convocation ceremony of Himachal Pradesh National Law University in Shimla. He elaborated that the true essence of law in a democratic society lies in ensuring that even the most vulnerable sections of society can hope for justice, that the voices of the less privileged are heard, and that every citizen feels secure under the protection of their rights.
Speaking about the judiciary as a vital pillar of democracy, Chief Minister Sukhu pointed out that judicial decisions, at times, can present challenges to government initiatives designed for public welfare. He cited an instance from 2003 where a government decision stipulated that contractual employees would not be eligible for seniority and increments. However, he noted that almost two decades later, a court directed the grant of financial benefits, despite the absence of such a provision in the applicable recruitment rules.
The Chief Minister reiterated that no elected government intends to withhold financial benefits from its employees. Nevertheless, he stressed that such decisions must also consider the state’s financial capacity and the condition of its exchequer.
Presiding over the ceremony, Supreme Court Judge Justice MM Sundresh described Himachal Pradesh as a “paradise on earth.” Addressing the graduating students, Justice Sundresh highlighted the distinct role of law graduates in society, referring to them as “social engineers, social doctors, and social architects.”
Justice Sundresh emphasised that upholding respect for law and justice requires more than just a theoretical grasp of legal statutes. He stated that the effective delivery of justice necessitates deep knowledge, a robust sense of equity, and an unwavering commitment to social responsibility. He encouraged the new graduates to proactively prepare for evolving challenges and cultivate expertise in emerging fields, specifically mentioning artificial intelligence (AI) as a critical area.
Earlier in the proceedings, Chief Minister Sukhu presented honours to meritorious students who had achieved gold medals for their academic excellence. The degrees were conferred upon the graduating students by Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia.
The convocation ceremony also saw the conferral of the degree of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) upon distinguished legal personalities, including former Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Tripura High Court Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao, and former Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court Trilok Singh Chauhan. The event was attended by Himachal Pradesh National Law University Vice-Chancellor Preeti Saxena, judges from the Himachal Pradesh High Court, and other dignitaries.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
