Alumni's podcast under scrutiny: Justice Gautam Patel criticizes Principal for issuing a notice regarding the podcast produced by GLC alumni
In the heart of Mumbai, a heated debate is unfolding between the administration of the Government Law College (GLC) and its alumni over a podcast called "GLC Law and Lore." The podcast, created by four recent graduates - Anjali Singit, Dhun Vinod Santosh, Jinay Jain, and Pakhi More - has found itself at the centre of a controversy due to the college's objection to the use of its abbreviation "GLC" in the podcast's name.
The controversy began in July 2025 when Principal Dr. Asmita Vaidya issued a public notice warning the podcast creators that the use of "GLC" was unauthorized and misleading, and that continued use could lead to legal action. The college also clarified it has no affiliation, endorsement, or collaboration with the podcast, and that the content does not reflect its official views or policies.
Justice Gautam Patel, a former Bombay High Court judge and GLC alumnus, has since spoken out against the college's threat of legal action. In a strongly worded letter, he condemned the college's warning as "contemptible and disgraceful." Justice Patel argued that "GLC is not a trade mark nor a service mark" but rather a name representing belonging and pride for alumni and students. He implied that restricting the use of "GLC" undermines free speech and institutional culture.
"GLC Law and Lore" features conversations with legal professionals, many of whom are GLC graduates, aiming to foster mentorship and share practical legal knowledge within the legal community. The podcast was meant to provide young professionals with no legal background insights into the industry. The team has never asked for institutional support from GLC.
Justice Patel has offered pro bono legal assistance to the students if needed and questioned the relevance of who produces the podcast's content, as long as it is good. He even went so far as to appear on the podcast himself.
Several other prominent alumni, including former Supreme Court judge Justice BN Srikrishna and Senior Advocate Sharan Jagtiani, have voiced their support for the podcast creators. Justice Srikrishna stated that alumni should be allowed to use their alma mater's name unless the content is false or misrepresentative, advocating for monitoring rather than legal threats. Jagtiani described the objection as unnecessary given the podcast's positive and respectful content and encouraged resolving the matter amicably without litigation.
The current status is a public disagreement between the college administration seeking to restrict use of the "GLC" name and the alumni podcasters, supported by prominent legal figures, who argue for their right to identify with their institution in a positive and non-misleading manner. There is no indication that legal action has yet been taken; the situation remains a controversy sparking debate on trademark use, institutional identity, free speech, and alumni initiatives.
In this heated debate, alumni of the Government Law College (GLC) argue that the use of "GLC" in their podcast "GLC Law and Lore" represents pride and a sense of belonging, emphasizing the importance of free speech and identifiable institutional culture. Meanwhile, the college administration has voiced concerns about the use of the name in an unauthorized manner, with certain alumni advocating for monitoring rather than legal threats.
As part of their education-and-self-development endeavors, the podcast team, led by Anjali Singit, Dhun Vinod Santosh, Jinay Jain, and Pakhi More, organizes conversations with legal professionals, including fellow GLC graduates, to share practical knowledge, foster mentorship, and provide insights into the legal industry, specifically aiming to help young professionals with no legal background. This initiative in sports, as it were, encourages camaraderie and knowledge-sharing beyond the college walls.
