HNLU hosts virtual conference on digital dignity, sparks discussion on human rights in the digital age

The Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur, through its Centre for Law and Human Rights and the Centre for Law and Science organized a one-day online national conference on the theme 'Digital Dignity: Safeguarding Human Rights in the Age of Technology' on September 6, 2025.

The inaugural session was graced by Chairperson, Assam Human Rights Commission, and former Chancellor of HNLU, Justice Arup Kumar Goswami.

In his address, Justice Goswami highlighted dignity as the central pillar of human rights jurisprudence, tracing its roots to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He emphasized on the need for renewed safeguards in the face of the technological revolution. Justice Goswami is also a Distinguished Jurist Professor at HNLU.

The conference addressed evolving human rights challenges in the digital age and fostered dialogue on digital dignity as a core principle of contemporary human rights frameworks.

The national conference received around 150 abstract submissions. Only 60 papers were selected for presentations. Academicians, jurists, researchers, and students across the country presented their papers in 8 parallel technical sessions.

Vice Chancellor, HNLU, Prof (Dr) VC Vivekanandan, in his opening remarks spoke on rights-based tech design, judicial innovation, and international cooperation on human rights as a central driving force in the contemporary landscape of technology and human rights discourse.

The welcome address was delivered by Registrar, HNLU Dr. Deepak Kumar Shrivastava.

This was followed by a briefing on the objective of the conference and the planned sub-themes by Conference Secretary and Head, Centre for Law and Science, HNLU, Dr Debmita Mondal, and a vote of thanks by Head of the Centre for Human Rights, and Secretary of the conference Dr Kiran Kori. The event was anchored by HNLU students Mahika Gupta and Samridhi Dubey.

The technical sessions that followed provided a platform for dialogue on issues of data privacy, algorithmic biases, digital wellbeing, misinformation, surveillance, and secure communications. Scholars from diverse disciplines contributed to the discussions, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the theme.

The conference concluded with a Valedictory Session.

The Chief Guest, Vice Chancellor of SRM University, Sonepat and Distinguished Jurist Professor of HNLU, Prof Paramjit Singh Jaswal, gave an address, highlighting the seven parameters to audit the current interface of HR with technology with an incisive analysis of various cases, including the landmark cases of Justice KS Puttaswamy, Shreya Singhal and others. He stated that Constitutional values are paramount, and that human rights are non-negotiable in any era of technology.

Prof Vivekanandan also addressed the gathering and highlighted the process of technology as a disruptor at any point of time in history, with law serving as a stabilizer. He cautioned that if technology is opaque, and if its application is left unchecked, it would impact the fragile gains of human rights fought and built over the years.

The conference wrap had the highlights from the welcome address briefing by Dr Debmita Mandal, and a detailed closing report presentation by Dr Kiran Kori. The event was anchored by HNLU students, Anuska Sharma and Dimpal Khatri. Student convenor, Aayushka Pandey delivered the vote of thanks.

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