Mangaluru: People are facing issues related to finance and cybercrimes and it is essential for law students to gain expertise in handling these challenges, said Justice Murali Krishna, judge, high court of Kerala and alumnus of SDM Law College, Mangaluru.
He addressed the gathering after inaugurating Founders Day celebrations as part of the golden jubilee of SDM Law College, Mangaluru, on Saturday. He called upon law students not only to be well-versed in law but also to be innovative, empathetic, and resilient. To make laws people-oriented, lawmakers must know the ground realities of life. Studying theory alone is not sufficient to understand real-life problems. "As a law student, I participated in Lok Adalats, particularly in gram panchayat areas, conducting door-to-door surveys to understand rural issues like water, electricity, and inter-caste marriages. Today, the problems have shifted significantly to finance and cybercrimes, requiring young lawyers to be well-equipped to address them," he said, adding that law colleges have a lot to contribute and today's students will become tomorrow's lawmakers.
D Veerendra Heggade, dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala and president of SDME Society, said: "My father wished for me to become a lawyer, but his passing during my final year compelled me to take over Dharmasthala. Instead of a lawyer, I became a judge, dispensing justice to devotees. This left my college journey incomplete," he said.
Further, Heggade said, "Dharmasthala has a long tradition of Chaturdana, where thousands come to worship Lord Manjunatha and seek justice. Many disputes are resolved here, rooted in the Indian ethos of dharma and law, both founded on morality and ethics. Indian traditions emphasise a legal system inspired by the Vedas and Upanishads, defining law as fair social behavior. Modern challenges, like AI's artistic expressions and environmental protection, demand nuanced responses. I believe our legal system is equipped to address these complexities, ensuring laws promote social justice."
Karnataka high court senior judge Udaya Holla said SDM College nurtures critical thinking and a profound understanding of the justice system. He urged the college authorities to establish more scholarships and endowments for deserving students from rural backgrounds who cannot afford tuition fees or accommodation in Mangaluru.