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St. Mary's Welcomes Adv. Saurabh Kirpal
St. Mary's Welcomes Adv. Saurabh Kirpal
It is not every day that one gets to meet someone who is making history while changing lives—and we at St. Mary’s had this privilege when Adv. Saurabh Kirpal joined us as the Chief Guest for the Investiture and Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony on 15th May 2025.
When Saurabh Kirpal—scion of former Chief Justice B.N. Kirpal—first arrived at St. Stephen’s College to study physics, few would have guessed he’d one day argue landmark cases in the Supreme Court of India. Yet in just three years of physics and a subsequent three-year conversion to law, Kirpal discovered his true passion: teaching people to think analytically, to build airtight arguments, and ultimately to wield the law as an engine of social change.
Our Editors-in-Chief had the opportunity to have a candid conversation with him, in the presence of Principal, Dr. Annie Koshi and Vice-Principal Mr. Jose Thomas.
From Equations to Equality
Question: Your academic journey is quite unique – you studied physics at St. Stephen’s College before moving into law. What inspired this unusual shift, and how did it shape your path?
Answer: “I wanted to do more than solve problems on paper. I wanted to solve them in society,” he remarked.
Mr. Kirpal shared that his decision to study Physics at the undergraduate level stemmed purely from his love for the subject rather than any practical considerations. Although Physics and Law may seem worlds apart, he explained that the discipline has profoundly influenced his legal career. Physics, he noted, helped him develop strong analytical reasoning and a structured way of thinking—skills that have become invaluable in constructing arguments and presenting cases in the courtroom.
Over two decades of practice in the Supreme Court have further sharpened his instincts as a lawyer. Today, he is best known for serving as senior counsel in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018), the landmark case that decriminalized consensual same-sex relations in India.
Redefining Success
Question: Reflecting on the ideas of success you shared with us today, would you say you have achieved it in your own life?
Answer: Kirpal rejects the pageantry of conventional achievement—“beauty-pageant” goals he calls them—favoring contentment and purpose over distant trophies. He explained that the journey of growth comes to a halt the moment a person believes they have achieved success. For this reason, he does not consider himself successful in the absolute sense. What he does feel, however, is a sense of contentment with what he has accomplished so far. He added that this contentment stems from not setting grand or unrealistic goals for himself, but instead focusing on meaningful progress and steady achievements along the way.
Law as Skill & Habit
Question: Out of all your experiences, is there one milestone that stands out as a turning point where you felt a sense of accomplishment or impact?
Answer: Standing amid India’s queer community when the Supreme Court officially recognized a “third gender.” “That day,” he recalls, “I felt truly independent—and truly successful” He recalled meeting members of the transgender community who spoke about the sense of freedom and dignity they experienced after the verdict. Seeing their joy and relief, he shared, was an overwhelming and unforgettable experience that remains etched in his memory as a true milestone of his journey.
Championing Respect & Freedom
Question: Since much of your work focuses on gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights, what is the key idea about gender and sexuality that you wish every student could take away and remember?
Answer: At the heart of Kirpal’s philosophy lie two non-negotiables: respect and freedom. He argues that gender and sexuality are social constructs and that the law must protect both identity and choice. “We value people for who they are and the choices they make,” he insists, “and the law must reflect that.” Freedom and dignity, he noted, should be guaranteed to all individuals, regardless of their gender or sexuality, because everyone deserves the right to choose and to live on their own terms.
Finding Your Voice: Advice for Young Speakers
Question: What’s one piece of advice you would give to young people who want to speak up but often hold back?
Answer: For Kirpal, advocacy is both craft and calling. He likens public speaking to sport: practice breeds confidence, and a great argument—once planted—outlives its speaker. He stressed that good speaking skills come only with consistent practice. “It is bigger in your head than your audience's,” he advises. “Don’t hesitate or stutter; record yourself, reflect, and aim always to make a sensible point—what you say matters more than how you say it.” He acknowledged that the first attempt may not be perfect, but urged students not to be discouraged. Rather, advised them to keep practicing and putting themselves out there. Reading, reflecting, and expanding one’s mind, he said, are equally important.
Looking Ahead
Looking Ahead
Having authored Sex and the Supreme Court (2020) and Fifteen Judgments (2022), Kirpal now awaits his elevation to the Delhi High Court bench—a step that would make him India’s first openly gay judge . Whatever the outcome, his journey from physics labs to the nation’s highest court reminds us that true advocacy begins not with statutes but with empathy, and that the most profound equations are often solved in the courtroom of the human heart.
The conversation with Mr. Kirpal was an encounter with courage, resilience, and conviction. His words left us with the powerful reminder that success is a journey, equality is a right, and every voice matters. For the students of St. Mary’s, his message was especially powerful. In many ways, his presence at our Investiture Ceremony was symbolic—urging the new student council of St. Mary’s to work with empathy, courage, and integrity. And for all of us, his words will remain a reminder that each voice, no matter how small it may feel, holds the power to create ripples of change.
Written by Tooba Ayub & Ananya Jena
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