Overview
On February 13, 2026, High Court Judge V. Shrishananda delivered the I.G. Hiregoudar memorial endowment lecture at Sir Siddappa Kambali Law College, Dharwad. Emphasising the sacredness of law and medicine, he linked historical judicial practices with contemporary challenges, urging future lawyers to uphold social responsibility and continuous learning.
Key Developments
- Development 1: Shrishananda highlighted the exponential rise of opportunities in the judicial system, stressing that success hinges on relentless study and hard work.
- Development 2: He recalled India’s ancient “Bell of Justice” system, which extended justice to all living beings, predating many global legal traditions.
- Development 3: The lecture underscored the legacy of King Vikramaditya’s judicial seat in Ujjain as an epitome of Indian jurisprudence, contrasting it with the post‑colonial fascination for foreign legal models.
Important Facts
- Fact 1: The event featured remarks from Registrar Shankareppa Vanikyala, who noted that students of the college have earned global recognition, reinforcing the institution’s role in shaping legal talent.
- Fact 2: Senior advocates K.B. Navalagimath and K.S. Korishettar, along with syndicate member Robert Daddapuri, reinforced the need to preserve India’s indigenous legal traditions while adapting to modern demands.
UPSC Relevance
This discourse intersects with multiple segments of the UPSC syllabus. In GS Paper II (Polity), the evolution of the Indian judicial system—from ancient practices like the Bell of Justice to the contemporary High Court structure—offers rich material for questions on constitutional history and judicial independence. GS Paper III (Economy & Development) can draw on the lecture’s emphasis on legal education as a driver of human capital development. For candidates opting for Law as an optional subject, the references to King Vikramaditya’s jurisprudence and the impact of colonial legal transplants provide valuable case studies for comparative law essays.
Way Forward
Justice Shrishananda’s call for a renewed pride in indigenous legal heritage suggests policy directions: integrating ancient jurisprudential concepts into modern legal curricula, fostering research on historical justice mechanisms, and encouraging law colleges to emphasize social responsibility. Strengthening legal education infrastructure, especially in tier‑2 cities like Dharwad, can democratize access to quality legal training and align with the broader goal of inclusive governance.