Justice Dr. M. Rama Jois

Justice Dr. M. Rama Jois was born and brought up in Karnataka and completed his education there. During his days as an advocate, he was actively propagating the freedom and civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution to all citizens. During the Emergency (1975–77), enforced by Indira Gandhi, he was detained and held in the Bengaluru Central Prison, along with our former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He was recognized as an eminent jurist and an expert in law. His major, highly acclaimed works included Legal and Constitutional History of India, Seeds of Modern Public Law in Ancient Indian Jurisprudence, Historic Legal Battle, and Dharma — The Global Ethic.

Justice Dr. M. Rama Jois was the very embodiment of simplicity and nobility. He was a profound scholar of Dharma Shastra and possessed knowledge comparable to a complete encyclopaedia of law. It was through his efforts that the historical inscription affirming that Vijnaneshwara — the great jurist of the 11th–12th century and the author of the Mitakshara, the celebrated commentary on Hindu law — hailed from Martur in Karnataka, was preserved. He also established the Vijnaneshwara Bhavana, a research centre dedicated to the study of this great legal tradition.

Justice Dr. M. Rama Jois lived and demonstrated these ideals through his own conduct and character. His life stands as a noble example of a meaningful and purposeful life. During his lifetime, he was a friend, philosopher and guide to many. Even today, he continues to remain with us as a guiding force — a pole star in the vast sky of the legal world. Indeed, he was himself an encyclopaedia of Bharatiya jurisprudence.