Lucknow, 17 Oct (HS): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi

Adityanath attended the convocation ceremony of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Law

University in the capital, Lucknow. He said that before 2017, there was a rule

of mafia in the state, but we removed it from the statute book and implemented

the rule of law honestly. Today, no one can challenge the law and order

situation in the entire state. Supreme Court Justice Vikram Nath also spoke at

the ceremony. On this occasion, meritorious students were honored and degrees

were conferred on 260 students.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, speaking at the fifth

convocation of the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University on Saturday,

referred to the mafia rule of previous governments, saying that there was a

time in the state when no law applied to the mafia. The situation was such that

even the Chief Minister, Governor, and Judge were irrelevant to them.

Chief Minister Yogi said that whenever a mafia convoy passed

by, it was given the first right of way. Whatever land it set foot on became

its own. We established the rule of law in the state. He said that no person or

position can be above the Constitution. He also taught students to stand

against injustice, stay connected to their roots, and continue studying. He

urged them to contribute to resolving land and family disputes in villages.

Don't compromise on principles if pressured to do wrong. He told students to

have actions, dignity, and words like Ram, a heart like Krishna, a mind like

Shiva, and to speak the truth as a dharma (religious practice).

Earlier there was a negative perception about UP: The Chief

Minister said that before 2017, the perception about the state was that

investment was unsafe, connectivity was weak, and development prospects were

limited. Everyone believed that Uttar Pradesh could not improve. To change this

perception, willpower and a result-oriented action plan were necessary.

Establishing the rule of law in the state is an important part of this change.

We freed the state from mafia rule and established the rule of law. Previously,

the situation was such that even convoys of people holding administrative and

constitutional positions would stop in front of a mafia in Prayagraj. But now,

under the rule of law, the state is establishing new dimensions of development.

Law students to advocate for 'Developed India' 2047: The

Chief Minister, presenting the convocation as a hypothetical lawsuit, said that

if Developed India 2047 is a case, then 1.4 billion Indians are its

petitioners and young jurists are their advocates. This case will require

facts, evidence, logic, and honest advocacy. Its defendant is not an individual

or political party, but the status quo mindset that refuses to accept that

change is possible.

After May 2014, reforms in the country gained momentum: Chief

Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that the country's independence, the enactment

of the Constitution, the Emergency, historic judiciary decisions, and reforms

in the country can be seen as significant milestones in our journey. The

country gained independence on August 15, 1947, and the Constitution came into

effect on January 26, 1950. The imposition of the Emergency on June 25, 1975,

clarified the difference between the rule of law and the law

of the ruler. The reform process gained momentum after May 2014. More

than 1,500 obsolete laws were abolished. Through the Public Trust Act, minor

lapses in 183 provisions of 42 laws were decriminalized. Citing the Insolvency

and Bankruptcy Code, GST, changes related to Article 370, and the Nari Shakti

Vandan Act, he said that reform does not only mean creating new laws, but also

removing old laws that have lost their relevance.

Target of one trillion dollar economy by 2029-30: The Chief

Minister said that in 2013, India was considered one of the world's five most

fragile economies, but today it is among the top five. This transformation has

strengthened global confidence in India. Similarly, Uttar Pradesh now aims to

achieve a $1 trillion economy. A vision document has been released and an

action plan has been implemented. He expressed confidence that this goal will

be achieved by 2029-30. He said that to achieve the state's economic progress

and development goals, it is essential to maintain the rule of law, fairness,

and public trust. Respecting the victim and making justice accessible are key

pillars of this confidence.

AI becomes an assistant, the final decision should be based

on human discretion: Addressing the role of technology and artificial

intelligence (AI), the Chief Minister said that technology has transformed both

crime and evidence. While AI has simplified research, data analysis, and the

assessment of potential outcomes, it has also brought new challenges. Deepfakes

can create a false image, allowing a person's face and voice to be presented in

a way that the viewer believes is real. Scientific verification of the

authenticity of digital evidence is essential. When a criminal in another

country steals a person's life savings in one fell swoop, identifying and

apprehending them becomes challenging. In these circumstances, young jurists

must develop an understanding of both technology and law.

Cyber police stations established in all 75 districts: The

Chief Minister stated that cyber police stations have been established in all

75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. Cyber help desks have been established in

1,583 police stations across the state. A forensic institute has also been

established in the state. Through the AI Pragya program, 1 million youth are

being trained in AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity. New criminal laws

recognize electronic evidence. Forensic investigations are mandatory in cases

carrying sentences of seven years or more.

The Chief Minister said that AI cannot replace the

discretion of a judge or a jurist. In the Bhagavad Gita, after imparting

knowledge to Arjuna, Lord Krishna leaves the right to make decisions to his

discretion. This sentiment can be described in today's technological language

as 'human in the loop'. Machines can offer suggestions, but the final decision

must be made by humans. Make AI an assistant, not a charioteer. The charioteer

should be your conscience and religion. A machine can draft a draft, but an

innocent person can pay the price for negligence with their freedom. Therefore,

a machine can write code, but a jurist must follow the code of conduct.

The well-being of the last person is the criterion of

development: The Chief Minister said that the true test of a developed India is

the change that comes in the lives of those at the bottom of society. Mahatma

Gandhi expressed this sentiment through Gram Swaraj, and Pandit Deendayal

Upadhyaya through Antyodaya. Development should be measured not by the economic

status of those at the top, but by the condition of those at the bottom.

Goswami Tulsidas's couplet, Jasu Raj Priya Praja Dukhaari So Nrip Avasi

Naraka Adhikari, makes it clear that the significance of governance and

order lies in public welfare.

CM's four requests to young law graduates: The Chief

Minister placed four key demands on young law graduates. First, they should not

be silent spectators to injustice, but rather play an active role in

establishing justice. Second, they should remain connected to their roots and

villages and contribute to the resolution of minor land and family disputes in

rural areas. Third, they should preserve their moral character and professional

credibility and avoid any unfair compromises or shortcuts. Fourth, they should

constantly update themselves on new laws, judicial decisions, and amendments

and develop the habit of self-study. Speaking the truth, practicing righteousness,

and not being lazy in self-study are the most important life values for any

lawyer.

Responsibility of the trust of 1.4 billion Indians: Congratulating

the graduating students and their parents, the Chief Minister said that the

convocation ceremony marks the culmination of years of sacrifice, prayers, and

hard work. Behind the students' degrees lie countless sleepless nights and

struggles under difficult circumstances. Young graduates should not view their

degrees merely as a certificate of academic qualification, but as a symbol of

the faith of 1.4 billion Indians. Whenever a case seems difficult or the

responsibility of a decision feels overwhelming, let the Constitution of India

be your guide. History will pronounce the verdict, but the debate is yours.

Along with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Supreme Court

Judge Justice Vikram Nath, Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Justice Arun

Bhasali and Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay, Vice Chancellor

Professor Amar Pal Singh were also present in the function.

Awarded the Meritorious Medal: At the ceremony, Tejaswini

Kaushal received the gold medal in BA LLB (Hons), Isha Agarwal the silver

medal, and Nisha Verma the bronze medal. Rupal Jaiswal received the gold medal,

Chitra Singh the silver medal, and Soumya Giri the bronze medal in LLM. Gold

and bronze medals were also awarded to female students in the Postgraduate

Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights. At the ceremony held in the Ambedkar

Auditorium at the university, 260 students and researchers were awarded degrees

in various courses. This year, female students dominated the medal winnings,

winning 13 of the 20 medals, while seven went to male students. Tejaswini

Kaushal received the gold medal in BA LLB (Hons), Isha Agarwal the silver

medal, and Nisha Verma the bronze medal, while Rupal Jaiswal received the gold

medal, Chitra Singh the silver medal, and Soumya Giri the bronze medal in LLM.

Gold and bronze medals were also awarded to female students in the Postgraduate

Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi