Manipal Law School Bengaluru Hosts 2nd Edition of Constitutional Law Lecture Series 2023
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Manipal Law School (MLS), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Bengaluru campus has organized Constitutional Law Lecture Series (2nd edition) Programme 2023 on Friday, March 17, 2023. The event was attended by eminent speakers including Hon’ble Justice (Retd) Shri Swatanter Kumar and Prof (Dr.) C. Basavaraju. Justice (Retd) Shri Swatanter Kumar is the former Judge of the Supreme Court of India Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal and Prof (Dr.) C. Basavaraju is the Vice Chancellor of the Karnataka State Law University, Hubballi.
The event was organized by Manipal Law School to celebrate the significance of the Constitution at a time of widespread conversation throughout the country on constitutional morality and the challenges within the domain of judicial interpretation of some recent contemporary issues.
Addressing at the event, Justice (Retd) Shri Swatanter Kumar, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal said, “I must compliment the institution for holding these constitutional (law lecture) series. The Indian Constitution is not only a book; it is a living document. It has the potential to provide life to the biggest democracy in the world. What is social justice to a nation? Justice has two primary factors, one is the rule of law, and the other is access to justice. When we talk about social justice, it means irrespective of the class or society, everyone will be provided a decent life; which alludes to the environment, right to live, right to livelihood. Justice is an expression of wide connotation that makes every organ of the state responsible of achieving that target.”
Adding to the importance of a good environment in the context of social justice, he adds, “The combination of constitutional law and environmental law has been shown perfectly by Gandhiji, he said, if you can’t pass the earth to the next generation in a better condition, try and pass it in the condition you got it.”
Prof (Dr.) C. Basavaraju is the Vice Chancellor of the Karnataka State Law University, Hubball, said, “There is a need to live with the constitutional values before going to speak on social justice. The Indian Constitution which provides for justice, indicates that there is a need to provide for social, economic, and political justice to all in this country. India is well appreciated by the rest of the world because we are all living in the midst of so much diversity. What binds the different parts of the country is the constitution of India. Social justice means it is imperative that every person, every last person to the very core of society regardless of their religion, cast or status gets access to justice.”
Speaking on the occasion and around the event Prof (Dr.) Avinash Dadhich, Professor and Director, Manipal Law School, Bengaluru said, “Today discussing constitutional law in India is crucial in promoting social justice and ensuring the protection of fundamental rights. In recent times, there have been debates and discussions around the concept of constitutional morality and its application in Indian society. These discussions are important as they help to shape the interpretation and implementation of constitutional provisions to uphold social justice and prevent the erosion of fundamental rights. A robust debate on constitutional law and morality can lead to progressive reforms and the strengthening of democratic institutions, which is crucial for promoting social justice and ensuring the protection of fundamental rights for all citizens.”
He further added, “Law students play a critical role in shaping the future of the legal profession and society at large. Engaging in discussions on constitutional morality is essential to their development as legal professionals. Constitutional morality emphasizes the ethical and moral values that underpin the constitution, ensuring its protection and preservation. Through these discussions, law students can gain a deeper understanding of the Constitution and its significance in ensuring justice, liberty, and equality. This knowledge will empower them to advocate for constitutional principles and defend against any violation of fundamental rights, leading to a stronger, more just society,”
Manipal Law School took a lead in organizing and offering a platform for a scholastic approach to studying the constitution by inviting more than 200 final-year law students and faculty members, including Principals of Law Schools from Bengaluru, to participate in the lecture series. The event provided an opportunity for the participants to gain a deeper understanding of the constitution from the perspectives of two eminent personalities from the judiciary and the academic world.
The event was well received by the participants, who expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn from distinguished speakers. The lecture was a resounding success, and MLS, MAHE Bengaluru campus is committed to organizing similar events in the future to promote knowledge and understanding of the Constitution. Additionally, the event also witnessed MLS announcing the launch of its LLM programme. The visiting students were also provided with the chance to discover various educational programs and resources offered by MLS Bengaluru, along with the contemporary facilities accessible to students at the MAHE Bengaluru campus situated in Yelahanka.