‘Study ancient books for giving justice’

Nagpur: Ancient scriptures have explained in detail the philosophy of law which should be understood in the present context by legal luminaries was the opinion of experts at a national seminar on ‘Exploring tradition for innovation in Indian jurisprudence’, organized jointly by Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur, and Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, held at the former’s facility, on Saturday.
BR Gavai, judge of the Bombay high court, said that the ancient shastras have delved deep into various aspects of law which are needed to be looked at afresh for dispensation of justice. “There are many references to western judicial concepts like rule of law and constitutionalism in our shastras which also mention the qualities a judge should posses,” he said.

PS Narsimha, former solicitor general of India, said the Vedas and shastras have wealth of knowledge and the Indian judiciary should take a lead in deliberating on it instead of taking help of western decisions while going into merits of the case and giving a judgment.

Narasimha said, “This programme will help emphasize the Indian ecocentric approach to legal studies.” said.

Sharing his views in a video screened at the seminar, SA Bobde, judge of the Supreme Court and chancellor of MNLU, expounded the principles of logic and said, “The study of nyaya shastra — the Hindu science of logic — should be integrated in the curriculum of law universities of the country.”

Addressing the convention in Sanskrit, co-founder of Samskrita Bharati Chamu Krishna Shastry highlighted the importance of the ancient language and connected to the roots.

Vice-chancellor of MNLU Vijender Kumar said, “The objective of holding the seminar is to comprehend theoretical study of law along with its practical approach which was proffered by Indian philosophers, social scientists and thinkers.”

Vice-chancellor of KKSU Shrinivasa Varakhedi said, “Sanskrit is a language not just for a small community of littérateurs but for all.”

Speaking at the valedictory function, former judge of the Supreme Court BN Srikrisha lamented that “almost all the countries have their own jurisprudence, but we have none”. It is high time law students conduct research and develop own jurisprudence, he added.

(Reporting by Manshika Vaikkath)