From the Pen of Amit Sachdeva – A Gandhian Lawyer

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In an age where the practice of law often slips into the crevices of power, profit, and prestige, I find my compass in the timeless principles of Mahatma Gandhi. To be a Gandhian lawyer is not merely to represent a client; it is to represent truth, peace, and justice in every breath of legal advocacy.

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Mahatma Gandhi, though trained as a barrister, never allowed the courtroom to become a battlefield. He practised law not as a profession, but as a sacred seva (a service). He showed us that the highest form of legal practice is one that is non-violent, truthful, and just. And it is this very dharma I strive to follow.

 

Truth and Honesty Above All

As a Gandhian lawyer, I do not twist facts to win a case. Victory is not rooted in deception—it is in satya, the truth. Even if it exposes a client’s fault, the path of truth must be walked without fear. For the law is not a tool to cover guilt, but to uncover clarity, responsibility, and redemption.

 

Non-Violence in Legal Action

Litigation is often confrontational by design. But I believe the law need not be a weapon—it can be a bridge. I seek reconciliation before confrontation, dialogue before dispute. As Gandhi said, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” Let us, then, open our eyes to peaceful resolutions and moral courage.

 

Law as an Instrument of Social Justice

True legal service is not about representing the powerful; it is about empowering the voiceless. I stand with the marginalised, the forgotten, the oppressed. If the law does not serve the poor, it is but a shadow of justice. A Gandhian lawyer must be ready to challenge unjust laws, question systems, and become a voice for those silenced by poverty or prejudice.

 

Minimal Fees, Maximum Service

Following Gandhi’s example, I believe the law must not be driven by profit. Where a client cannot pay, I do not hesitate to serve for free or for less. Justice should never come with a price tag. The dignity of law lies in compassion, not commerce.

 

Beyond the Adversarial Role

I am not just a legal representative. I am a facilitator, a guide, a mediator, and above all, a peacemaker. If I can bring two conflicting parties to understanding without ever filing a case, then I consider it a greater success than any court victory.

 

A Few Reflections in Practice

• I encourage amicable settlements over bitter trials.

• I use the courtroom as a platform to question unjust laws and challenge discrimination.

• I devote time to legal literacy, helping the common person understand their rights and duties.

• And above all, I practice ahimsa—non-violence in words, actions, and intent.

 

To be a Gandhian lawyer is to walk the narrow path between legal formalism and moral courage. It is to see law not as a profession but as a sacred public duty, infused with truth, compassion, and service. In this journey, I do not stand alone. I walk with Bapu in my conscience, and with the people in my heart.

 

Amit Sachdeva
Gandhian Lawyer