Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) commemorated the 77th Republic Day by hosting the 5th annual Dr BR Ambedkar Memorial Lecture. The lecture was themed 'Our Tryst with a Democratic Republic'.
While noting that the Constitution enshrines the rule of law and not the rule by law, Justice Bhat traced the evolution of India’s constitutional project from the freedom struggle to the adoption of a written Constitution founded on universal adult suffrage, social justice, and the supremacy of the Constitution.
Emphasising the Preamble as the key to understanding the Constitution, he highlighted fraternity as the binding force that provides meaning to liberty and equality, and that without fraternity, equality becomes hollow.
Vice-Chancellor, HNLU, Prof VC Vivekanandan opined,
"Indian Constitution is a living synthesis of indigenous values and global constitutional thought, anchored in liberty, equality, fraternity, social justice, and diversity. Stressing that a republic is sustained not merely by document but by acts of everyday constitutional faith."
Justice Bhat described the Constitution as a living and evolving instrument, born out of immense sacrifice and collective struggle. Reflecting on contemporary challenges, including technological change and artificial intelligence, he cautioned against uncritical dependence on technology and stressed the need to preserve ethical reasoning, constitutional values, and independent thinking.
The programme also featured a welcome address by Registrar, HNLU, Dr Deepak Srivastava and a vote of thanks by Dean, Social Sciences, Dr Avinash Samal.
The event also released the inaugural edition of ‘Koitur- People of Nature’ brought by the Centre for Law and Indigenous Studies headed by Dr Ayan Hazra.
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