HNLU successfully organized a Conclave on Constitutional Day on November 26th , 2022 at its campus with participation from HNLU fraternity and students/faculty of ITM and Kalinga Schools of Law.
Prof. V.C. Vivekanandan, Vice Chancellor of HNLU in his opening remarks highlighted the ongoing debate of revisionism of Indian Constitution and status quo of the 70-year-old timeline in which it was framed. He stressed that the 'core values' of any constitution in any country is to adhere to the principles of 'human dignity' 'multi culturalism' and 'democratic process' as fundamental and the rest to be part of the 'particular values' which needs debate and deliberation for sustaining peace and progress of the society.
The Chief guest of the program, Prof. Ranbir Singh, Pro-Chancellor, IILM University in his address dissected the term India and Bharath in the constitution and highlighted the two India(s) where the haves and have nots live together in spite of the avowed goals of the Constitution, and he stressed upon the role of the lawyers in obliterating the in equality and injustice.
Prof. Venkat Rao, former Vice Chancellor of NLSIU Bangalore connected the interface of Indian Constitution by highlighting the contribution of Supreme Court in establishing the concept of 'Public Trust' and referred to Justice Hidaytullah's contribution in Golaknath case wherein recognizing the UN Human Rights declaration as part of interfacing the Indian Constitution with International Law.
Other speakers included Prof.Uday Shankar, Registrar of HNLU speaking on issues of Fundamental Rights and Welfare Goals, Reservation issues, status of Writs and importantly the unfinished agenda of regulation of political parties.To enhance their accountability. Dr. Deepak Srivastava, Dean UG (Law) at HNLU spoke on Indian Constitution: Reflections from Comparative Perspective. He spoke on the relevance of Indian Constitution and highlighted its multi-dimensional role towards citizens.
Prof. Jellis Subhan, Head, School of Law, ITM University questioned the status of equality and human dignity in the backdrop of the expanding inequality in the last few decades and the ill treatment of the marginalized even today as failures of the goals of constitution but nevertheless the hope is again the constitution to change these wrongs towards a better society.
Prof Vishnu Koonarayar, Dean -Research at HNLU summed up the deliberations and emphasized on the importance of article 21 as a crucial aspect for achieving the goals of the constitution to overcome the shortcomings. Prof AvinashSamal, Dean of Social Sciences anchored the programme. The conclave also witnessed the release of the book " The Journey of Seven Decades – Constitutional Discourse at Cross Roads" an edited book published by HNLU Press and the first news letter of the HNLU Alumni Association – The Alumni Connect.