As a law student, I have always been drawn to the ideas of justice, equality and standing up for people in their time of need, inspired by a God who loves unconditionally, yet just. I grew up believing that the court of law is all-powerful and meted out justice in an egalitarian fashion, convicting wrong doers, aiding people who have been wronged and working their way up to a welfare society. At least that’s what the books say.
The more I got acquainted with the legal profession, these ideas and beliefs seemed to be more panglossian than real. Given the recurring incidents of wrongful convictions, delayed, biased and discriminating judgements and with corruption at the root of it all violating the basic principles of natural justice and the spirit of the constitution.
Matters taken to the court taking years to be settled, so messed up that people consider being caught in a legal dispute a curse! Call this a stereotypical majoritarian view but we cannot ignore it because of the number of people being denied justice and left in an irrecoverable state mostly the victims of a corrupt, biased, lethargic and dirty system. They would probably be in a better place now if they had not gone to the court at all. These things pushed me to a point that I did not want to even practice law in the courts.
I thought it would be easier for me to stay out of this mess than fighting wars that are neither mine to fight nor mine to win. I was engulfed by feelings of in security and the fear of failure. I’m sure we all have asked God why there is so much of injustice, pain and suffering and mess…why things aren’t clean and organized… We are quick to blame God and the people around us for the mess we might have created.
In my case, I had forgotten and realized later that our God gives us the freedom of choice. Like all rights and liberties in law come with reasonable restrictions, God expects us to work within the directions God lays down through the Bible. Drawing this parallel made so much sense to me because at once everything started to fall in place… at least so in my head…if not in the world around me… lol! We all are equal in God… there is no clean and unclean, male or female… we are mere people… God works in us and though us irrespective of what we are… all we need to do is to follow God’s example and walk according to God’s word. Just imagine what would happen if we all loved our neighbors like we love ourselves? We wouldn’t have more than half of the cases that are being filed even as you read this.
In my opinion talking about details of what happens in court is not going to do much, but talking about what we can do, can bring change. Firstly, we need to stop addressing these issues in third person. We are very much part of the system by birth. The injustice being meted out cannot be changed overnight but it can be changed from and by one person at a time and one choice at a time. I think in matters like these, each individual can make a difference irrespective of where and what we are, just by knowing and doing what is right.
I am going back to the courts to learn and see how I can help people in need and share God’s love through my work and life in a place that I once thought was too dirty to work. We need to remind ourselves of how our everyday lives impact and affect the people around. For once, let us not dwell in the past, but walk into the future with God towards a just society. I encourage you to take a moment and ponder about your role in building up a just society.
Prayer
God of Love, teach us to love the way you love us. Help us to support and stand up for our neighbors who are in pain and have been victims of injustice many times because of our choices and ignorance. Help us to be law abiding citizens who strive for justice and peace. Amen.
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Author: Blessy Sudarsan
About the Author: Blessy Sudarsan has completed Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Law and is currently preparing for the BAR exam and will soon be perusing her masters in constitutional and administration laws. She is also a trained musician and a theatre artist. She wishes to explore possibilities of bridging gaps between profession, passion (hobbies) and spirituality.
Good view on the issues..
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