Table of Contents

PART – A

Q1. What was the duration of M.C. Chagla’s tenure as Chief Justice?

Ans. M.C. Chagla served as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court for 11 years, from 15 August 1947 to 26 October 1958.

Q2. What was Chagla’s objective while writing a judgement?

Ans. Chagla’s only objective while writing a judgement was to be brief and to be clear, precise and lucid in whatever views he expressed.

Q3. According to Chagla, mention two characteristics of Dr. Homi Bhabha.

Ans. According to M.C. Chagla, the two prominent characteristics of Dr. Homi Bhabha are:

  1. A Visionary Scientist: He was a brilliant physicist and the main architect of India’s nuclear energy programme, recognized globally for his original scientific mind and institution-building capabilities.
  2. A Man of Versatile/Multifaceted Personality: Beyond science, Bhabha possessed a deep passion for the fine arts, being an avid painter, a great enthusiast of classical Western music and opera, and an amateur botanist.

Q4. What two instructions were issued to the District Judge before Chagla’s visit to the district court?

Ans. Chagla instructed the District Judges that no lavish entertainment should be arranged involving heavy expenditure, and that any address from the Bar should not be presented in an expensive silver or other costly casket.

Q5. When was the emergency declared in India?

Ans. On 26 June 1975, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared emergency.

Q6. How were civil rights affected during the Emergency?

Ans. Chagla points out that Presidential Orders suspended important Fundamental Rights under Articles 14, 21, and 22 of the Constitution. Even the right to approach courts through writs such as habeas corpus was taken away.

Q7. Where was the International Court located during Chagla’s time?

Ans. The International Court is housed in the Peace Palace, The Hague, the Netherlands; this palace was built as a result of a Peace Conference convened by Emperor Nicholas II of Russia in 1899.

Q8. According to Chagla, what is key to success?

Ans. According to Chagla, the key to success for a lawyer is the ability to ‘sift the chaff from the grain’ and identify the real question that will decide a case. He believed success relies on fairness, as an advocate’s true duty is to assist the court in the administration of justice, rather than simply winning for a client.

Q9. What difference did Chagla notice between national courts and International Court?

Ans. According to Chagla, the main differences are:

  1. Enforcement Machinery: National courts have police and executive powers to enforce their judgments, whereas the International Court lacks direct enforcement machinery and must rely on the UN Security Council.
  2. Law vs. Politics: National courts operate strictly within domestic laws, while cases in the International Court are heavily influenced by global politics, diplomacy, and the sovereignty of nations.

Q10. Who influenced Chagla during his early legal career?

Ans. During his early legal career, M.C. Chagla was primarily influenced by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Chagla worked as a junior in Jinnah's legal chambers after returning from Oxford in 1922.

PART – B

Q11. Explain the following terms:

  1. Ante meridian – Before noon

Sentence: I study in the ante meridian hours.

  1. Jussoli – Law/Principle that a person’s birth is determined by the territory in which he was born.

Sentence: In countries following jus soli, a child born on their soil automatically gets citizenship.

  1. Bonjour – A French greeting meaning “good morning” or “hello.”

Sentence: The tourist politely said bonjour to the shopkeeper.

  1. Sans – Without

Sentence: He attended the meeting sans his assistant.

Q12. Write one word for the following sentences:

  1. Hopeful about the future – Optimistic
  2. Something that lasts for a very short time – Ephemeral
  3. A person who studies the stars – Astronomer
  4. On who is unable to read and write – Illiterate

Q13. Write two words using the following affixes:

  1. Prefixes:

Mis - Misunderstand, Misbehave

Under - Underground, Underestimate

Fore - Forecast, Foresee

Up - Upgrade, Uphill

  1. Suffixes:

wise - Clockwise, Likewise

ship - Friendship, Leadership

hood - Childhood, Neighbourhood

some - Awesome, Troublesome

Q14. Explain the following idioms:

  1. In a nutshell – To describe something briefly, using very few words.

Sentence: To put it in a nutshell, the company is going bankrupt.

  1. Draw the line – To set a limit on what you will allow, accept, or do.

Sentence: I don't mind helping my brother, but I draw the line at doing all his homework for him.

  1. Leave no stone unturned – To try everything possible and make every effort to achieve a goal.

Sentence: We left no stone unturned.

  1. Raise an eyebrow – To cause surprise, shock, or mild disapproval in other people.

Sentence: His untidy clothes raised a few eyebrows at the formal corporate meeting.

PART – C

Q15. Provide a detailed analysis of Chagla’s tenure as Chief Justice.

Ans. M. C. Chagla is presented as a deeply committed, independent, and reform-oriented Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. He assumed office on 15 August 1947, succeeding Sir Leonard Stone, at a crucial moment when India had just attained independence. Chagla describes that although he initially felt anxious and burdened by the immense responsibilities of the office, he approached his duties with determination, sincerity, and complete dedication.

One of the most striking aspects of Chagla’s personality as Chief Justice was his extraordinary sense of duty and discipline. He believed that the administration of justice required constant commitment and punctuality. In his autobiography, he proudly notes that he never absented himself from court even for a single day. To him, the satisfaction of performing judicial duties honestly was more valuable than any financial reward or additional salary. This reflects his deep respect for the judiciary and his belief that judges must serve as guardians of justice rather than seekers of privilege.

Chagla also displayed remarkable administrative insight and practical wisdom. Upon becoming Chief Justice, he carefully observed the weaknesses within the judicial system. He noticed that several judges lacked adequate judicial experience or had remained disconnected from actual judicial work for a long period. Chagla strongly believed that judges should either be selected from experienced practising advocates or from district judges actively engaged in judicial administration. According to him, only such persons could understand the realities of litigation and dispense effective justice. This reveals his practical and reformist approach towards the judiciary.

Another important feature of Chagla’s personality was his fearless independence. He firmly believed that the judiciary must remain impartial and should never function under government influence. Consequently, he delivered several judgments against the government whenever he felt that citizens’ rights or constitutional principles were being violated. He considered the judiciary to be the protector of individual liberty and democratic values.

His liberal and humanitarian outlook became particularly visible in matters relating to preventive detention. Chagla openly disliked and criticized the Preventive Detention Act because he believed that such laws could easily threaten personal freedom in a democratic society. Whenever he found loopholes, procedural irregularities, or misuse of power by the government, he did not hesitate to release detainees. This demonstrated his courage, compassion, and unwavering faith in civil liberties and the rule of law.

Chagla was also a great judicial reformer who sought to modernise and democratise the Bombay High Court. At that time, there existed distinctions and tensions between the Appellate Side and the Original Side of the court. Chagla attempted to remove these divisions and foster harmony within the legal profession. He emphasized that every advocate should have the right to practise on both sides of the court without discrimination. This reflected his belief in equality, professional unity, and fairness.

Furthermore, he worked to simplify and improve the judicial structure. He abolished the distinction between “pleaders” and “advocates,” thereby promoting equality among legal practitioners. He also changed the designation of subordinate judges to “Civil Judges,” which gave greater dignity and uniformity to the subordinate judiciary. These reforms indicate his progressive outlook and administrative efficiency.

Thus, as portrayed in Roses in December, M. C. Chagla emerges as a disciplined, fearless, liberal, and reform-minded Chief Justice. His integrity, devotion to duty, concern for civil liberties, and efforts to strengthen the judiciary made him one of the most respected judges in independent India.

Q16. What message does the chapter “The Bar” give to young law students?

Ans. In the chapter titled “The Bar”, M.C. Chagla offers a profound repository of guidance, wisdom, and practical advice meant specifically for young law students and budding lawyers. Reflecting deeply on his own initial years of hardship, financial uncertainty, and professional obscurity at the Bombay High Court, Chagla paints a realistic yet deeply inspiring portrait of what it takes to survive and ultimately excel in the legal field. The primary message he conveys is that the law is a noble, demanding calling that rewards character, intellectual rigor, and relentless discipline rather than superficial shortcuts or overnight ambition.

A central pillar of Chagla’s message focuses on the supreme virtue of patience during what he terms the “briefless days” of a young lawyer's career. He candidly shares that briefs and paying clients are extremely rare during the initial years of practice, a phase that can easily induce frustration and despondency. Chagla strongly advises young law students never to lose heart or give up during this testing incubation period. Instead of treating this lack of work as a period of idle waiting, he urges young minds to utilize their abundant spare time for continuous self-improvement. He suggests that a young lawyer should constantly inhabit the law library, devour classic commentaries, systematically analyse law reports, and spend hours inside courtrooms closely observing how seasoned advocates present their arguments. For Chagla, true professional competence is quietly built during these unrewarded hours, ensuring that when an opportunity finally arrives, the lawyer is fully prepared to seize it.

Furthermore, Chagla transmits a vital technical lesson regarding the actual mechanics of courtroom advocacy, stating that the ultimate key to professional success is the ability to instantly distinguish the relevant from the irrelevant. He notes that a judge's time is highly constrained and an advocate must learn to expertly sift the chaff from the grain. Young students are encouraged to develop a precise, analytical mindset that isolates the core legal questions governing a case, enabling them to present their arguments with absolute clarity and conciseness rather than convoluting the matter with trivial details. Alongside this intellectual sharpness, Chagla places the highest premium on absolute professional integrity and ethics. He reminds young students that an advocate is, first and foremost, an officer of the court whose primary, sacred duty is to assist in the administration of justice. He warns against adopting deceitful tactics or misleading a judge simply to win a client's case, asserting that a lawyer's reputation for honesty is their greatest asset.

In conclusion, M.C. Chagla’s overarching message in “The Bar” is that success in the legal profession is a slow, organic process built upon a foundation of unwavering moral character, relentless study, and deep respect for mentorship. By reminiscing about the profound impact that legal giants like Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Sir Jamshedji Kanga had on his own early career, Chagla emphasizes the importance of learning through keen observation. He leaves young law students with the enduring realization that while the legal profession is a fiercely competitive and harsh taskmaster, it offers immense fulfilment to those who approach it with a steadfast sense of duty, patience through early adversity, and an uncompromised commitment to the ideals of justice.

Q17. Provide a detailed summary of the reflections presented in the epilogue.

Ans. In the epilogue of his autobiography “Roses in December”, M.C. Chagla offers a deeply moving, honest, and introspective philosophical look back at his long and distinguished career. Rather than using this final section to boast about his immense professional achievements, Chagla approaches his life's retrospective with a profound sense of humility, and emotional vulnerability. Having transitioned through monumental roles, from a struggling lawyer to the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, an international diplomat, and a senior Union Minister, he explicitly clarifies that he never actively chased power, prestige, or political patronage. Instead, he views his illustrious life as an interconnected series of solemn public duties. He expresses immense gratitude for having been an active participant in India’s foundational journey immediately after independence, and he derives deep personal satisfaction from the fact that he executed every single responsibility without ever compromising his judicial conscience, personal integrity, or intellectual honesty.

While Chagla finds a strong sense of personal peace, his reflections on the broader socio-political trajectory of post-independence India are marked by deep anxiety and disillusionment. He expresses grave concern over the steady erosion of the high institutional standards, ethical values, and moral rectitude that he and his contemporaries fought so hard to establish within the Indian judiciary and government. Chagla laments the political shifts of the time, particularly criticizing the systematic weakening of democratic institutions, the rising tide of political opportunism, and the threat to individual liberties. Despite his sadness over these regressive national developments, his fundamental conviction in the core ideals of secularism, the rule of law, and the diverse, pluralistic unity of India remains entirely unshaken. He looks back at his controversial decisions, such as resigning from high ministerial posts when his principles clashed with official government policies, not with regret, but as necessary assertions of his moral autonomy.

Ultimately, the epilogue serves as a profound testament to Chagla’s uncompromising moral character and his lifelong submission to his “inner voice” over temporary titles or political security. He masterfully invokes the poetic metaphor of the book's title, explaining that while the winter of his life, his metaphorical “December,” has finally arrived, the vibrant memories of his lifelong struggle for justice, his unyielding love for the law, and his service to the nation are the aromatic “roses” that keep his soul alive and complete. He concludes his autobiography by presenting a powerful message on existential contentment, illustrating to the reader that when a person lives a life guided strictly by unyielding principles and ethical courage, they can face the inevitable end of their existence with absolute calm, dignified fulfilment, and a serene conscience.

Q18. Write a letter to the editor about the importance of mental health awareness among students.

Ans.

To

The Editor

The Hindu

Date: 8 May 2026

Subject: Importance of Mental Health Awareness Among Students

Respected Sir/Madam,

Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authorities, educational institutions, and parents to the critical but often ignored issue of mental health awareness among students. In recent years, the academic environment has become increasingly competitive, leading to an alarming rise in anxiety, depression, and severe stress among young learners.

Today, students face immense pressure from multiple sources, including high academic expectations, peer competition, the constant influence of social media, and parental anxiety about future careers. Unfortunately, because of the social stigma still attached to mental health, many students choose to suffer in silence rather than speak up. This lack of communication often leads to tragic consequences, including academic burnout, social withdrawal, and a sharp rise in student suicide rates across the country.

To address this crisis, it is essential to shift our focus from mere academic grades to the holistic well-being of the student. Educational institutions must normalize conversations about mental health by conducting regular workshops and awareness campaigns. Every school and college should have qualified, accessible, and empathetic counsellors to provide students with a safe, confidential space to share their struggles. Furthermore, the academic curriculum needs to be restructured to reduce excessive workloads and incorporate stress-management techniques such as mindfulness and yoga.

Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it is time we treat it as a priority rather than a taboo. I hope that by publishing this letter, we can encourage parents, teachers, and policymakers to work together to create a supportive, understanding, and pressure-free environment for our youth.

Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,

ABC