A Letter to Lawyers!
You are the translators of justice for the people of India. Beyond laws and sections, we see fairness and hope in your words. Each case you argue carries the weight of equality, dignity, and the nation’s promise of justice for all.
Dear Custodians of Justice,
I write this letter not as a judge, not as a legislator, and not as a client, but as an ordinary citizen who still believes in the idea that law is the backbone of a democracy. You, the lawyers of India, are the invisible architects of that belief.
Every morning, in the crowded corridors of district courts and the grand halls of the Supreme Court, you stand armed not with swords or shields but with words. Words that have the power to free, to protect, and to build. Yet, somewhere between adjournments and affidavits, between fees and filings, I fear the spirit of justice sometimes gets lost in the noise.
You see, the common person does not understand sections and sub-sections. We understand fairness. We understand right and wrong. And we depend on you to translate that moral compass into the language of law. When you argue a case for a poor laborer cheated of his wages, or when you defend a woman seeking safety from abuse, you are not just representing a client. You are representing India’s promise of equality before the law.
But there are also times when the law seems like a maze only the privileged can navigate. Legal aid cells remain understaffed, hearings drag on for years, and justice becomes a luxury. I have seen undertrials spend more time in jail waiting for a verdict than the maximum punishment for their alleged crime. I have seen victims give up, not because they lost their case, but because they lost their patience.
To you, dear lawyers, I say this. The law is not a business. It is a bridge between the people and the Constitution. Every time you step into a courtroom, remember that someone’s faith in the system rests on your shoulders. Your preparation, your integrity, and your empathy can make the difference between despair and dignity.
The great lawyer and freedom fighter M. K. Gandhi once said, “A true lawyer is one who places truth and service before self.” In an age of quick judgments and viral opinions, perhaps it is time to return to that ideal, to remind the nation that law is not just a profession, but a calling.
So this letter is not a complaint. It is a reminder. A reminder that the black coat you wear is not just a uniform; it is a symbol of justice, of resilience, and of hope.
With respect and expectation,
A Citizen of India