The Chief Justice of India Dr. DY Chandrachud while speaking at the first convocation of the Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) held on its Waranga campus said that Criminalizing homosexuality one of many injustices in society.

The function was also attended by Former CJI SA Bobde, and MNLU's founder chancellor, and Supreme Court judge Bhushan Gavai, who is the chancellor now, and Acting CJ of Bombay High Court Jusice Sanjay Gangapurwala, Sunil Shukre, Atul Chandurkar and Anil Kilor. Maharashtra's advocate general Birendra Saraf and Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra also attended the programme along with high court and district court judges, lawyers and law fraternity students.

While quoting his own landmark judgment rendered in the case of Navtej Singh Johar where it was held that Section 377 was an 'anachronistic colonial law' that violated the fundamental rights to equality, freedom of expression, life and privacy. Justice Chandrachud said "he had given his opinion in the line that the lethargy of law was manifest again despite constitutionally guaranteed right to equality and non-discrimination".

He added "As a governing document, the Constitution has made rapid strides towards a more just democratic society, but much work remains to be accomplished before we can rest. The deep inequality which fractured our society at times of Independence persists even today. The best way to make this inequality a distant dream of the past is to inculcate the spirit of Constitution in our society. In this endeavour, there is no better place than you my dear students."

The CJI said, "You will find a million excuses when you succeed as a lawyer and go on to become judges to be an inert individual. But lethargy of law must not be mirrored in you. When it comes to constitutional values and nurturing constitutional culture, be ahead of the curve and lead by your own example. The communities that we create for ourselves would become a backbone of our collective quest for justice."

"People were living in an increasingly disconnected world despite being connected more than ever due to technology."

"People long for a sense of belonging, as their lives become more and more isolated interpersonally. Each of us are trying to source our sense of identity in this increasingly disconnected world. Your years in university would have offered you a glorious glimpse of community living. Treasure it and aim to recreate that sense of community wherever life takes you. Good luck to you as you begin your career in the service of our great nation."

Speaking on Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, he said "He was made to sit apart in his school in Satara due to his caste. In high school in Mumbai, he was only dalit. He went to Vadodara, he offered his services to the state but couldn't find any accommodation. Decks were stacked against him because of our society diseased with caste. He persisted and he went on to become one of the most towering figures in the history of India, and probably the world. He continues to be a shining example for us. We are indebted to him for many of the constitutional rights and remedies that we take for granted today."