HNLU concludes Constitution@75 Series with Ambedkar Memorial Lecture

Raipur (Team Newsbuddy): Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur, concluded its six-month-long “Constitution@75: HNLU Series” with a grand celebration of the 76th Republic Day. The day began with the unfurling of the National Flag by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) V.C. Vivekanandan, followed by a vibrant cultural program showcasing India’s diverse art and cultural heritage.
The highlight of the Republic Day celebrations was the Fourth Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Memorial Lecture, delivered by Justice G. Raghuram, Distinguished Jurist Professor at HNLU and Former Director of the National Judicial Academy. The program commenced with a floral tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, honoring his monumental contributions as the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.
Justice Raghuram delivered a thought-provoking address on “Contours of Judicial Review: Striking a Balance Between Power Asymmetries in a Democratic Framework.” He emphasized the evolving nature of constitutional interpretation to safeguard democratic values amidst rapid societal changes. Highlighting the role of judicial review as a crucial mechanism for balancing governmental power and ensuring accountability, he underscored its importance in upholding the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. Justice Raghuram remarked, “The judiciary must adapt to societal changes, ensuring decisions remain fair, accountable, and just in an increasingly dynamic world.
The program also saw the release of Volume 10, Issue 1 of the HNLU Journal on Law and Social Sciences. Awards for the best conference speakers were presented by Justice Raghuram, Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh, and Prof. V.C. Vivekanandan to Rohini Ramdas Kalyankar (MNLU Mumbai), Shreya Ranjan (ITM University, Raipur), and Mohammed Saud ur Rehman Siddiqui (NLU Sonipat).
This Memorial Lecture marked the conclusion of the two-day International Conference, “Constitution@75: Evolving Text, Context & Transformations – Rights, Governance & Technology in Focus,” organized as the final chapter of the Constitution@75: HNLU Series. The international conference scheduled for 25th-26th January witnessed active participation from academicians, practitioners, and students across 23 institutions and 15 states, engaging in discussions on six thematic sessions covering rights, governance, technology, and global constitutionalism.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor Prof. V.C. Vivekanandan emphasized Dr. Ambedkar’s transformative vision, describing him as a “guiding light” whose ideals continue to inspire constitutional governance and social justice. He added, “The Constitution’s relevance lies in its ability to evolve with time, meeting the aspirations of a changing society.”
On this auspicious occasion of Republic Day, the Sihawa Lake View Restaurant was also inaugurated by the dignitaries. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a serene recreational and relaxing space for faculty and students, enhancing the campus experience at HNLU.
The six-month-long Constitution@75: HNLU Series began on August 15, 2024, with a Round Table Discussion titled “The Indian Constitution: Triumph and Turbulence”. Organized to coincide with Independence Day celebrations, this program brought together Deans and students of HNLU to engage in a vibrant dialogue on the Constitution’s triumphs and challenges over the past 75 years. The program, officially inaugurated by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. V.C. Vivekanandan following the flag hoisting, set the tone for the series with its focus on fostering critical reflection and discussions among the academic community.
In September, HNLU hosted a One-Day Conclave for Police Officers on the theme “Navigating Good Governance: Constitution, Policy, and Inclusivity,” which saw active participation from over 150 officers of the Chhattisgarh Police, including ADGs, IGs, and DIGs. Justice P. Sam Koshy, Judge of the Telangana High Court and member of the General Council of HNLU, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the role of constitutional principles in guiding policing and governance. Other distinguished speakers included Director General of Police Ashok Juneja, Prof. V.C. Vivekanandan, P.V.S. Giridhar (Senior Counsel, Madras High Court & Distinguished Jurist Professor, HNLU), and Amit Pai (Advocate-on-Record, Supreme Court of India). In October, the Roving Seminar – Constitution Literacy Program extended the university’s constitutional awareness outreach to students at the Government Co-ed Polytechnic College, Raipur, emphasizing the need for young citizens to engage with and understand the values of the Indian Constitution.
A significant milestone in the series was the launch of the Chhattisgarh Legal Education and Research Network (CG-LEARN) on Constitution Day, November 26, 2024. This initiative, inaugurated by Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister (Law) Mr. Arun Sao, seeks to create a collaborative platform for advancing legal education across Chhattisgarh. The launch program featured eminent personalities such as Prof. N.L. Mitra, Prof. Ranbir Singh, and Prof. V.C. Vivekanandan, who shared their insights on the transformative potential of legal education reforms. Another key program was a workshop on “Shaping Truths: The Nexus of Media, AI, and Human Rights,” held on December 10, 2024, to commemorate International Human Rights Day. With sessions led by Prof. V.C. Vivekanandan, Mr. John Joseph (Former Coordinating Editor, The Times of India), and Dr. Deepak Kumar Srivastava (Registrar, HNLU), the workshop delved into the ethical implications of AI in media and its impact on human rights. This program brought together journalists, academicians, public relations officers, and students, fostering interdisciplinary discussions on pressing contemporary issues.
The Constitution@75: HNLU Series, organised by School for Law and Governance and School for Law and Technology was curated and coordinated by Garima Panwar and Abhinav K. Shukla, faculty members of HNLU, under the guidance of Dr. Deepak Kumar Shrivastava. This series stands as a testament to HNLU’s commitment to fostering constitutional literacy and engaging with contemporary challenges. The university hopes these discussions will contribute to constructive societal discourse and will strengthen the constitutional values.