Bhopal, April 12 – Supreme Court Justice Pankaj Mithal has recommended that law schools in India include ancient legal texts such as the Vedas, Ramayana, and Mahabharata in their curriculum. He was speaking at a legal conclave held at the National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal, to mark 75 years of the Supreme Court.
Justice Mithal stressed the need for students to study justice and equity not as Western ideas, but as values deeply rooted in Indian tradition.
Ancient Texts Are More Than Cultural Artefacts
According to the judge, ancient texts like the Smritis, Arthashastra, Manusmriti, and Dhammas offer insights into governance, justice, punishment, and morality. He stated that these texts should be part of formal legal education in India.
“They reflect India’s legal and philosophical traditions, not just cultural heritage,” he said.
Indianizing the Judiciary: Ongoing Steps
Justice Mithal highlighted current efforts to Indianize the judicial system. One major step includes making Supreme Court judgments available in regional languages. Under former Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, a statue of Lady Justice was unveiled—dressed in a sari, without a blindfold, and holding a book instead of a sword.
The book symbolizes the Constitution. However, Justice Mithal proposed that law should also be guided by texts like the Gita, Vedas, and Puranas. “This context can help ensure justice for all citizens,” he said.
Proposed Courses on Dharma and Indian Legal Thought
The judge suggested introducing courses like “Dharma and Indian Legal Thought” or “Foundations of Indian Legal Jurisprudence.” These subjects should go beyond rote reading and explore the links between classical Indian ideas and the Constitution.
He explained that such courses would give students cultural depth and help form an Indian perspective on legal reasoning.
Linking Ancient Concepts with Modern Laws
Justice Mithal gave examples to show how traditional ideas align with current laws:
- Equality in Article 14 connects to the idea of Samath
- Environmental laws echo the Vedic respect for Prakritik
- ADR methods follow Panchayat systems in the Shastras
- Rajdharma relates to modern constitutional morality
“This isn’t nostalgia. It’s innovation rooted in our civilizational values,” he said.
He added that this change in curriculum could support India’s plural legal identity and show that Indian constitutionalism is part of a living tradition—not just a borrowed framework.
Judiciary Must Reflect India’s Legal Heritage
Reflecting on the Supreme Court’s 75-year journey, Justice Mithal said the court remains a stabilizing force during global challenges such as inequality and polarization.
However, he reminded the audience that Indian justice has deeper roots. “It did not begin in 1950. It comes from something more ancient and lasting,” he stated.
The Supreme Court’s motto—Yato Dharmaso Tatho Jaya—originates from the Mahabharata. Justice, he said, represents Dharma, a principle combining ethical behavior, social responsibility, and rightful power.
Dharma Unifies Law and Morality
The judge noted that Western systems often divide law from morality. In contrast, Indian thought sees Dharma as a unified idea of justice, duty, and harmony.
“Our Supreme Court often reflects this unity between law and moral vigilance,” he concluded.
He emphasized that the court’s role is to protect constitutional values, defend the environment, and uphold the rule of law—not merely to exercise power.
