GUWAHATI, Dec 10 � �India has crossed more than 60 years as a republic under our Constitution, carefully drafted by the experts. But now, we have to think whether it is time to have a relook at some of the provisions of the Constitution to make our democratic structure more functional and egalitarian.�
Devanand Konwar, Governor of Bihar stressed the need for pro-active approach by the legal fraternity to make the democracy more meaningful. He was speaking at the inaugural function of golden jubilee celebration of Bar Council of Assam Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, organised today at the Rabindra Bhavan, here.
�The legal fraternity has played a dominant role in India�s freedom. Now, in the changing socio-political scenario, the legal professionals need to ensure that the people of the country get social, political and economic justice. If the policies made for common people are not serving their purpose, the
legal fraternity should intervene,� he added.
�We need to find out the roadblocks, affecting the inclusive growth of all sections of people. Legal professionals can play a very positive role in this regard,� he added.
Expressing concern over the anomalies in the legal profession, Justice Jasti Chelameswar, Judge, Supreme Court of India pointed out that in many cases the legal professionals are not loyal to their profession and corrupt practices have gripped the profession.
He also mentioned that many a time, the cases are filed and stretched beyond necessity because they benefit the lawyers. �The profession now is not considered as dignified as it should have been,� he added stressing reforms in the legal profession.
Voicing the concerns of Justice Chelameswar, Ashok K Parija, senior advocate and chairman of the Bar Council of India said that to ensure that competent persons entre the legal profession, the All India Bar Examination has been started one and a half year back, which is a way to filter the good candidates. �Moreover, we are starting a series of training programmes for advocates having less than five years of practice,� he added.
