The Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU) yesterday held its 4th Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Lecture, to mark Martyr's Day (January 30).
The theme of the lecture was 'The Eternal Relevance of Gandhi’s views on Law and Justice.'
The lecture was delivered by Vice-Chancellor of IIULER Goa and Distinguished Jurist Professor, HNLU, Prof. (Dr.) R Venkata Rao.
Prof R Venkata Rao highlighted Mahatma Gandhi's profound influence on legal ethics, justice, the role of law in society, and the timeless principles of truth, non-violence, and human dignity.
Prof Rao stated that Gandhi was not only a political leader but also a profound legal thinker who advocated for a morally conscious legal profession.
Gandhi's legal philosophy was rooted in the belief that justice must be aligned with truth and social welfare. Prof Rao highlighted the Gandhian approach which meant giving primacy to ethical lawyering, preferring reconciliation over litigation, and prioritizing service to society over personal gain.
The talk highlighted Gandhi's critique of unbridled industrialization and urbanization, his advocacy for decentralized governance, and his insistence that lawyers should work towards dispute resolution rather than fueling conflict.
Legal practice, according to Gandhi, should not be taken as a means of personal enrichment but a tool for social service.
Gandhi insisted on truth in legal proceedings, Prof. Rao added while giving instances where Gandhi refused to manipulate facts to win cases.
Prof. Rao also reflected on Gandhi's preference for arbitration and compromise as means of dispute resolution, which was emphasized as a model for contemporary legal reforms.
In his opening remarks, Vice-Chancellor, HNLU, Prof VC Vivekanandan reflected on Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa), and truth that is (Satyagraha).
The event also saw the release of the HNLU Journal of Law and Social Sciences, Volume X, Issue II.
Dean, PG Studies, Prof (Dr) Yogendra Srivastava delivered the welcome address and Registrar, Dr Deepak Kumar Srivastava delivered the vote of thanks. The programme was anchored by a final year student, Vinit Bachwani.
The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Lecture is a part of HNLU's annual tradition, initiated in 2022, to honor and disseminate Gandhi's teachings. This series of lectures are part of HNLU's efforts to inspire and educate future leaders in the principles of enlightened governance and leadership, as espoused by Mahatma Gandhi.
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