TFP Bureau, Raipur; September 29, 2024: Hon’ble Justice P. Sam Koshy, Judge of the Telangana High Court and a member of the General Council of Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), emphasized the need for a balanced and inclusive approach to governance during the inaugural session of the *Constitution@75* Conclave. Speaking at the event themed “Navigating Good Governance: Constitution, Policy, and Inclusivity,” Justice Koshy highlighted the crucial role of law enforcement in upholding constitutional ideals, particularly in conflict-prone areas, calling for transparency, accountability, and active participation from all sections of society.
Justice Koshy underscored that “a normative and evaluative attitude is required within governance institutions.” He further advocated for a law enforcement approach that strikes a balance between maintaining public order and protecting individual rights, stressing that police officers have a critical responsibility in upholding these constitutional values.
Prof. Vivekanandan, Vice Chancellor of HNLU, echoed this sentiment in his opening remarks, outlining five major challenges to inclusivity under the Constitution: caste discrimination, gender inequality, religious freedom, economic disparity, and universal education. He remarked that while the Indian Constitution is forward-looking, the real challenge lies in its implementation, where enforcement agencies play a crucial role.
The Guest of Honour, Mr. Ashok Juneja, focused on the role of the police in safeguarding the rights of marginalized groups, including women, children, and other vulnerable sections of society. He highlighted the shared responsibility of law enforcement to uphold justice and the rule of law, particularly in regions affected by left-wing extremism.
The event included two technical sessions. In the first, Mr. P.V.S. Giridhar, Senior Counsel of the Madras High Court, discussed the role of both formal and informal actors in the functioning of the Constitution. He reflected on the gains and challenges as India marks 75 years of its constitutional journey. In the second session, Mr. Amit Pai, Advocate-on-Record at the Supreme Court, led an interactive discussion on the special provisions for women, children, and marginalized communities under the Constitution. He praised the foresight of the Indian framers, noting that India granted universal adult franchise from its inception, unlike many other democracies.
The conclave, organized by HNLU’s Schools of Law & Governance and Law & Technology, aims to produce educational toolkits, research monographs, and e-dockets on constitutional law and policy. The event was attended by over 150 officers of the Chhattisgarh Police, including senior officials such as ADGs, IGs, and DIGs, as well as faculty and students from HNLU.
The *Constitution@75* series is curated by HNLU faculty members Ms. Garima Panwar and Mr. Abhinav K. Shukla, and the event can be viewed on the HNLU YouTube channel.
