Seventy-five aspiring lawyers from across the country locked horns over the most recent amendments to the Information Technology Act, 2000 in regard to regulation of content on the internet.
Seventy-five aspiring lawyers from across the country locked horns over the most recent amendments to the Information Technology Act, 2000 in regard to regulation of content on the internet, and evolving the position of the Constitution on the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression.
The case before the students, who were participating in the four-day National Moot Court Competition organised by School of Law, Christ University on its campus, was that of a fictitious comic strip character, Pamela Adershan. Pamela’s creators had depicted her as an adventurous and promiscuous 35-year-old housewife having several extra-marital affairs.
M Naveen Kumar of the College of Excellence in Law, Chennai argued that in the name of freedom of expression, moral ethos of a society like India could not be compromised. “If art comes in the way of morality of a society and if that art is harming the very fabric of the society, then such art works should not be encouraged,” said Kumar, while strongly arguing his point in front of senior counsel Shanti Bhushan and Udaya Holla.
Naveen, and his team-mates Krishna TJ and Anu R, felt that as the comic strip was readily available on the internet, it could prove harmful for children who surf the net.
“It’s a private matter and an individual choice, and thus should not concern society at large,” argued Palasree Kirttania, Rashmi M and Bhavna CH, the all-girls’ team representing KLE Society’s Law College, Bangalore.
Naveen was adjudged the best speaker, while his team walked away with the winner’s trophy. KLE Society’s Law College bagged the runners-up trophy.
A total of 25 teams from various law colleges from across the country were part of the four-day moot court competition, which concluded on Sunday.
The participating colleges included ILS Law College, Pune; Sastra University, Tamil Nadu; Amity Law School, Delhi; MS Ramaiah College, Bangalore and National Law Institute University, Bhopal.
Speaking at the valedictory, Union minister for law and justice M Veerappa Moily said: “The justice system should be fast and inclusive to reach out to all the sections of the society. As members of the legal fraternity we need to be innovative.”
Moily also said the law ministry would soon introduce All India Judiciary Service examination, an all-India level competitive test, to select best of aspiring lawyers.
“The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010 is also ready and we’ll table it soon in Parliament,” he said and added that the bill had been finalised after exhaustive studies and examination of such legislation existing across the world.
Moily also profusely appreciated the oratory skills of the budding lawyers who took part in the competition.
Asking the budding lawyers to work hard and make Indian legal system a strong organisation, MP Oscar Fernandes said: “I am proud of the aspiring lawyers and their skills. It’s your hard work that will make India proud of its legal system.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}