“Judiciary is a very important pillar of democracy. To strengthen it, good quality legal education is required and the National Law University here is playing an important role. The university will definitely make a significant contribution to the development of national vision and character,” said Chief Justice of India Sharad Bobde. He was speaking during inauguration of academic building of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) at Waranga on Wednesday.

 

 

The inauguration was done on virtual platform in presence of Chief Justice on India and Founder Chancellor of the University Sharad Bobde, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Union Minister of Transport Nitin Gadkari, Supreme Court Justice Bhushan Gavai, Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Dipankar Dutta, Energy Minister and Guardian Minister of Nagpur district Dr Nitin Raut, Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant and Leader of Opposition in State Assembly Devendra Fadnavis, Senior Administrative Judge of Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court Justice Sunil Shukre; Vice-Chancellor of the University Prof Dr Vijendra Kumar and others. The Chief Justice gave a brief overview of the creation of the University. Given the glorious tradition of the best jurists in the city of Nagpur, the people here wanted a National Law University.

 

 

 

Expressing satisfaction that their dream is coming true today Justice Bobde said, “The academic building of the university is a beautiful invention of modern architecture. The construction of classrooms in this building is world class. These classrooms are equipped with the latest technology.” Justice Bobde pointed out, “Construction of this building, which is of excellent quality and environment-friendly, fulfills the aspirations of the students.” He mentioned the efforts made by Justice Bhushan Gavai and Mumbai High Court Chief Justice Dipankar Dutta for establishment of the university. Announcing that Justice Bhushan Gavai would take the charge as Chancellor of MNLU, Chief Justice Sharad Bobde said, “The National Law University here is unique. This university will help to develop a national outlook. Because professors and students from all over the country will come and teach here. This university will go beyond the thought of regionalism and narrow mindedness and would create jurists with national character. Chief Justice Sharad Bobde expressed confidence that the way MNLU is moving ahead, it would earn the level of Oxford-Harvard-Cambridge University.

 

Another feature of this university is the inclusion of jurisprudence courses. Due to this, the rich knowledge tradition of this subject in India has been linked with the university. He also hoped that future generations would be thankful for the results. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said, “Maharashtra, which abides by the framework of law, has a long and exemplary tradition of justice. It was carried forward by judges like Ramshastri Prabhune. The role of the four pillars is important in a democracy. They give strong support to democracy.” Chief Minister expressed the expectation that the university should create lawyers and jurists who are able to hold the roof of democracy.” “Just as the sculptor creates an idol by putting his heart into it, professors at the University of Law should play their roles and shape students. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar took to the streets and fought for the common man. Accordingly, this institution should produce judges who would have commitment towards poor. The University of Law is a large institution that respects and supports the field of justice.

 

This greatness should be used by the smallest man, and it should become the best university in the world,” hoped Uddhav Thackeray. Stating that the university was set up with the objective of creating a world class university that would introduce qualitative change in the field of law, Nitin Gadkari said, “One of the pillars of a strong democracy is the judiciary. The University of Law will play an important role in establishing it.” Gadkari in his speech specially mentioned the contribution of Justice Vikas Sirpurkar, retired judge of Supreme Court and Justice Bhushan Gavai, Judge of Supreme Court in creation of MNLU. Stating that the creation of this university is the moment of self-satisfaction, Justice Gavai said that the concept of Gurukul is being actualised by this university. The values required for democracy are reflected in this university.

 

We have succeeded in completing most of the work in the last five years. Various departments of the government, including the Chief Justice and the then and present rulers, cooperated, added Justice Gavai. C Ramesh Kumar, OSD (Academics and Construction) proposed a vote of thanks while Dr Ashish Dixit, Registrar gave introductory speech.