Justice BV Nagarathna Urges Law Graduates To Be 'Stewards Of The Constitution'

Speaking at the 12th Convocation of National Law University, Delhi on the theme “Officers of the Court and Stewards of the Constitution,” Justice BV Nagarathna called upon graduating students to uphold constitutional values and integrity in their professional journey.

“As you receive your degree, you are not merely being conferred a personal achievement — you are taking on a collective responsibility. You must know that your affiliation is no longer only to our institution's values but also to constitutional values as companions in the legal profession. Your fidelity is to constitutional values, and your responsibility is to uphold them. It is in this vein that I have chosen the theme for my convocation address as 'Officers of the Court and Stewards of the Constitution'”, she said.

She added, “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.”

Addressing the Class of 2025, she said, “Today marks a defining moment – not merely the conclusion of your academic journey, but the beginning of your professional voyage into the world of law, justice and public service.” She emphasised that every lawyer is a lifelong steward of the Constitution, responsible for sustaining the constitutional order, protecting individual freedoms and upholding justice.

Quoting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's last speech in the Constituent Assembly, she stressed that the success of the Constitution depends on the conduct of those who work it.

“You may be drawn to different domains – to constitutional courts, to commercial litigation, to corporate negotiations, to international law or to academic inquiry. In each of these spaces, you will encounter complexity, ambiguity and conflict. There will be times when the easier choice might seem expedient – where convenience might tempt you to look away from the harder questions. In those moments, I urge you to pause, reflect on your duties, as professionals and citizens within the Constitution, and ask: What does justice require of me here? What is the fair and principled course? Is my conduct aligned with constitutional values?”

She outlined transformative themes of the Constitution – substantive equality, fraternity, and liberty – and enumerated five structural features of governance: the Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law, Directive Principles, Separation of Powers, and Federal Structure. She highlighted the role of the bar and judiciary in safeguarding rule of law and ensuring checks and balances.

“In a democracy where rule of law is its essence, it has to be preserved and enforced particularly by courts of law. If the rule of law has to be preserved as the essence of democracy, it is the duty of the courts to enforce the same without fear or favour, affection or ill will. Respect for law is one of the cardinal principles for an effective operation of the Constitution, law and the popular Government”, she said.

She urged students to let constitutional values guide their choices in moments of ambiguity, adding, “Too often, the law is seen as a fortress accessible only to the powerful. But in your hands, it must become a bridge - a bridge between rights and remedies, between the Constitution and the citizen, between justice and the people. Remember, the law belongs 6 to everyone, but not everyone can afford to access it. You can be the difference that ensures that this access is not denied.”

Justice Nagarathna emphasised that lawyers carry obligations beyond private gain, being engaged in acts of public service whether in courtrooms, classrooms, or boardrooms. She highlighted the role of the bar and judiciary in safeguarding rule of law and ensuring checks and balances.

She further said, “Law is not just about rules. It is about purpose. It is about creating conditions in which human dignity can flourish. It is about ensuring that every person – regardless of wealth, status, caste, gender, or belief – Is treated as an equal subject before the law. In societies like ours, where historical exclusions and entrenched inequalities persist, the legal profession is not just a vocation – It is a vehicle for transformation.”

Calling integrity the foundation of a meaningful legal career, she said it is built over years through principled choices. She cautioned against undermining the authority of courts or public trust in the legal system.

Justice Nagarathna also invoked Article 39-A, stressing the role of the bar in ensuring access to justice through free legal aid. She said each generation of lawyers must sustain and pass on constitutional values, calling this “constitutional intergenerational equity.”

“Continuation of our pledge to public trust and constitutional values requires every generation of young lawyers to take to every corner of the nation the vitality, utility and belief in constitutional methods and values. Succeeding generations not only have the pivotal obligation to sustain the structure but also the onerous duty to progressively pass it to the next generation while retaining its central character. This, I would call constitutional intergenerational equity. And that responsibility now passes to you. You are the torchbearers of this constitutional promise”, sha said.

She urged the graduates to recognise that case files represent human struggles and to act with sensitivity and morality. Lawyers, she said, must go beyond litigation and act as translators of the Constitution in people's lives – through legal aid, awareness campaigns, mentoring, accountability of institutions and participation in public discourse.

Concluding her address, she urged the graduates to build institutions, serve collective aspirations and wield the law as a “bridge of inclusion.”

“As members of a privileged profession, you have special obligations towards the nation and the community. Law is primarily a profession with grounding in governance and public service. I strongly believe a vision of legal career completely detached from this reality is detached from our constitutional values ! Remember, the measure of your success should not be merely financial, but also the positive impact you make on society”, she said.