KOZHIKODE: Democracy and judiciary will be the ultimate losers if lawyers are not vigilant in their work, Supreme Court Judge Kurian Joseph said on Saturday, in what is seen as a wake up call for the legal fraternity in the state. The senior judge was in the city to unveil a portrait of the late Joseph Jacob Kainady, eminent lawyer and founder-leader of the Kerala Bar Federation, at the Calicut Bar Association hall.
Socially-committed lawyers should think less about their own comfort and work more for others, he said quoting social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. “We need to keep in mind we are the successors of a great lineage of lawyers and law officers who thought less about themselves,” the judge reminded.
Judiciary enjoys its independence thanks to the efforts of people who were selfless, he added. “If the judiciary puts itself up for sale, that will be the end of Indian democracy as well,” Joseph reminded. The judge also reminded that judiciary-media standoff would not augur well for the two pillars of democracy.
R Basanth, former judge, High Court of Kerala, delivered a speech in memory of Joseph Jacob Kainady. M R Anitha, District and Sessions Judge, Kozhikode, and office bearers of the Calicut Bar Association and the Kerala Bar Federation were present.