Father Felix Raj (extreme left), Vice-Chancellor, St. Xavier's University, Calcutta; Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose (third from left), the first Lokpal of India; and Father L. Sebasti Raj (right), Pro-Vice-Chancellor, St. Xavier's University, Calcutta; at the inauguration of Xavier Law School in New Town. Picture by Sanat Kr Sinha

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The law is supreme and even above the king, India's first Lokpal, Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, told law students of Xavier Law School at St. Xavier's University, Kolkata on Saturday. In the Vedas and the Upanishads, law is treated as the "king of kings", he said.

Justice Ghose was speaking at the inauguration of the Xavier Law School. "Since the creation of the state, law comprised a set of rules that are supreme in nature... A king may possess the highest authority in the country but in the eyes of law a king and a simple person are the same...Law works in the same way for both of them. Hence it is... more supreme than the king."

The Law School, part of St Xavier's University, will start functioning from August 5. It will offer five-year integrated BA LLB (honours) and BCom LLB (honours) courses. The curriculum has been framed along the model followed by the national law schools. "The law of any country holds unlimited power over that country. The end objective of law is to regulate peace, harmony, justice and security," Ghose, a Xaverian, said. "Everyone in the state is required to abide by the law."

The school's curriculum has been framed in such a way that graduates can practice in courts or work as consultants, Xavier's university vice-chancellor Father Felix Raj said.
The Xavier Law School not only aims to produce legal experts but also students coached in "the important values of life", Father Felix Raj said. "This will be our contribution to the entire legal system of India."

Ghose reminded students about the difficulties they could face if they wanted to practice law after completing the course. The formative years might not fetch adequate returns. "But I am sure the returns will be 100 per cent if you carry on (with the difficulties) in the first ten years," he said.

He shared his three 'Ds' to success - discipline, devotion and dependence - with the audience. "Disciplining oneself enough to be able to face convoluted decisions; devotion to the subject and the field; and dependence on parents, teachers, professors and all other resources," Ghose said.

He also assured students that although they might have to invest more than they get in return for the first few years, eventually they will receive the fruits of their efforts.

Several justices and judges, senior advocates and members of the Bar were also present at the event. Fr. Felix Raj thanked the members of the Advisory Board including Hon'ble Justices of Calcutta High Court and eminent advocates for their wholehearted support and encouragement in the process of making the Law School. The university has a law library, a moot court and a legal aid clinic for students.

University registrar Prof. Asish Mitra announced a set of instructions to students at the programme.

Every student must have 75 per cent attendance in class. They must be punctual. Classes will start at 10am every day but students must be in the classroom by 9.55 am, he said.
There is no uniform for students. But they are expected to dress appropriately. They can carry mobile phones on the campus. But using phones in the classroom is strictly prohibited, he said.
Smoking on campus is not allowed and every student has to take part in social welfare activities, Mitra said.