It is often said that the Department of Law is a department of toppers‚ sometimes glorified as a ‘royal-department’. Therefore‚ most of the time‚ students‚ who secure ranks in admission tests‚ particularly those from Arts and Humanities backgrounds tend to pursue their undergrad degrees under the allure of the Faculty of Law.
Most of the time‚ reportedly‚ it is observed that‚ not all of students get into Law out of passion; rather‚ attracted by the idealized image of being so top-noach subject in the admission hierarchy. Sometimes students are lured by the random subject-reviewers or peer pressure. Sometimes their parents push them into law with their overwhelming expectations. Most often they are checked by the career reality of Bangladesh.
"I was passionate about medical colleges. However‚ I could not achieve my desired goal in the medical admission test. Later on‚ I sat for the GST admission test and scored an average score from the science-unit. Being a science student‚ I was thinking about where I should go. One day my elder brother from IU‚ suggested that I study Law‚ given the realities of Bangladesh‚ a career in law offers better opportunities and considerable social respect than any other fields."—Muhammad Shamim Patwari‚ a third-year student at Comilla University shares.
He also reflacted‚ ‘‘There is another, more poetic story behind how I eventually found my way to Law. To be honest, I never imagined that I would study this subject at CoU. Even today, I still have a soft spot for MBBS. Life goes on. I am now happy with LLB.’’
Also students quit other options‚ so ‘top-tier’ universities for meeting their passion in the shades of Law. Abir Azad Bhuiyan‚ a second-year law student remarks‚ “After studying in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka for nearly a year, I chose to prioritize my passion and dreams by transferring to the Department of Law at Comilla University. This decision to change both my university and field of study was not only challenging but also a journey of self-discovery.”
Abir added‚ “There was only one reason behind having the courage to change both my university and subject is passion. Achieving anything meaningful requires sacrifice and self-confidence, and my decision to pursue my dreams continues to inspire me every single day.”
Along with the significant prestige and social respect, some students are also motivated by the desire to serve people and protect their rights. Showrav Bhuiyan, a BA-LL.B student at Sharda University, Delhi, has been passionate about law since childhood‚ Inspired by his father’s honesty and dedication, added‚ "I chose law with the aim of defending people’s rights and contributing to justice in society. I aspire to become a responsible, efficient, and compassionate legal professional. Also it offers a considerable social respect."
Rubaiyat-Al Mahim‚ a Civil Judge at Rangpur District Judge Court‚ also an alumnus of Comilla University‚ noted‚ "Studying law gives us a unique ability to look beyond national and international events and analyse their legal foundations, limitations and implications. It develops the habit of questioning, thinking critically and understanding the philosophy behind law. As Ritwik Ghatak famously said, ‘Think, think, practise thinking.’ To me, studying law is not merely about earning a degree; it is a tool for sharpening our analytical minds and expanding our possibilities. The deeper we think, the broader our horizons become."
In the end, studying law may be a journey shaped by both pride and prejudice by the prestige it carries and the perceptions that surround it. But beyond both lies its greatest privilege: the ability to question, think critically, and understand the world with greater depth.
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