Justice B.V. Nagarathna. File.
| Photo Credit: K Bhagya Prakash
Supreme Court judge Justice B.V. Nagarathna on Saturday (September 6, 2025) said that the responsibility to work the Constitution did not lie with the people who occupied the corridors of power alone, but extended to every advocate of law.
“The responsibility to work the Constitution, in all its magnanimity and good intentions, does not lie only with the people in the power corridors but extends to every lawyer who should be an advocate of the Constitution. You, as a lawyer, are a steward of the Constitution for life. Soon, you will take the oath to uphold the Constitution and that will necessarily mean that you are now responsible for upholding its letter and spirit,” Justice Nagarathna said in her address to new law graduates at the 12th convocation of the National Law University Delhi.
Justice Nagarathna urged the graduates to act as the “officers of the court and stewards of the Constitution”, reminding them that their role went beyond litigation.
“It is about ensuring justice, equality, and access to legal remedies for all,” Justice Nagarathna said. She highlighted that in times of ambiguity, advocates of law must let their ethical compass guide their decisions, choosing integrity over expediency.
She underscored the evolving nature of law in the face of societal, technological, and environmental changes, encouraging graduates to be innovative, principled, and committed to public service.
The senior apex court judge exhorted graduates to use their knowledge and skills to build inclusive institutions and promote systemic equity, becoming “true custodians of the rule of law”.
Published – September 06, 2025 10:05 pm IST
