Exploring 75 Years of India’s Constitution: A Global Perspective
Patiala, August 30
The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), is organizing an International Conference themed “Seventy-Five Years of the Constitution of India: A Comparison with Major Constitutions of the World” on August 30–31, 2025. The event is held in collaboration with the Indian Law Institute, New Delhi, and the All India Law Teachers Congress, New Delhi. The Chief Justice of India serves as the ex-officio President of the Indian Law Institute.
Distinguished Guests The conference features eminent dignitaries, including:
- Justice Dipankar Datta, Judge, Supreme Court of India
- Justice Pankaj Mithal, Judge, Supreme Court of India
- Justice Rajesh Bindal, Judge, Supreme Court of India
- Justice Balkrishna Dhakal, Judge, Supreme Court of Nepal
- Justice Peter Mohan Maithree Peiris, Former Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
- Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Chancellor, RGNUL, Punjab
- Prof. (Dr.) Jagdeep Singh, Vice Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala
- Prof. (Dr.) Rattan Singh, Vice Chancellor, Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University, Patiala
- Prof. (Dr.) Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
- Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Tripathi, Director, Indian Institute of Scientific Education & Research, Mohali
- Prof. (Dr.) Manpreet Singh Manna, Vice Chancellor, Chandigarh University
- Prof. (Dr.) Deepak John Bhatti, Vice Chancellor, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot
- Prof. (Dr.) Ajay Sharma, Registrar, Plaksha University, Mohali
- Dr. Ajay Batish, Deputy Director, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala
About the Conference Marking 75 years since the adoption of the Indian Constitution on January 26, 1950, RGNUL is hosting this conference to celebrate its legacy as one of the world’s leading constitutions. The event commenced with an inaugural session featuring the Saraswati Vandana and the lighting of the lamp.
Inaugural Session Highlights
- Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Chancellor, RGNUL, delivered the welcome address, describing the Constitution as a moral compass and a living promise to future generations. He discussed its scope, ambit, and significant Supreme Court and High Court judgments.
- Justice Peter Mohan Maithree Peiris, Former Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, shared his experiences as a Supreme Court judge and UN representative, citing Ambedkar’s view that a constitution’s success depends on its implementers.
- Justice Balkrishna Dhakal, Judge, Supreme Court of Nepal, praised the Indian Constitution’s Preamble, Fundamental Rights, and Directive Principles, comparing them with Nepal’s Constitution and noting the influence of Indian Supreme Court judgments on Nepal’s judiciary.
- Justice Rajesh Bindal, Supreme Court of India, focused on the right to legal aid, referencing the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, and the roles of NALSA, SALSA, and DLSA, while highlighting the Constitution’s flexible yet unalterable basic structure.
- Justice Pankaj Mithal, Supreme Court of India, traced the historical development of the Indian Constitution, comparing it with ancient Indian culture and citing landmark cases like A.K. Gopalan vs. State of Madras (AIR 1950 SC 27) and Khadhak Singh vs. State of UP (AIR 1963 SC 1295). watch……RGNUL Hosts International Symposium on “The Geneva Conventions at the 76th: Contemporary Challenges”
- Justice Dipankar Datta, Supreme Court of India, discussed key constitutional provisions, including Fundamental Rights, Duties, and Directive Principles, alongside Centre-State relations and landmark cases like Kesavananda Bharati vs. State of Kerala (AIR 1973 SC 1641) and Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India (AIR 1978 SC 597). He quoted Ambedkar, emphasizing that a constitution’s success relies on those who implement it.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Ivneet Kaur Walia, Registrar, RGNUL, who expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, collaborators, and participants, reaffirming RGNUL’s commitment to comparative constitutional studies. She thanked Hon’ble Justice Sheel Nagu for fostering an academic environment and supporting such initiatives.
Conference Overview Held in hybrid mode, the conference includes technical sessions where advocates, academicians, researchers, policymakers, and students discuss key provisions of the Indian Constitution and other major global constitutions. The sessions explore constitutional values in shaping international relations, aligning domestic laws with international principles, and addressing issues like decolonization, indigenous traditions, and inequities. Comparative perspectives from jurisdictions like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, France, Germany, Japan, and others are highlighted.
Valedictory Session The conference concluded with a valedictory session chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Satish Chandra, Professor of Law, RGNUL, and Prof. (Dr.) Bhupinder Singh Virk, Head & Dean, Faculty of Law, Punjabi University. It was attended by Prof. (Dr.) Jai S. Singh, Vice Chancellor, RGNUL; Prof. (Dr.) Mahavir Singh Kalon, University of Delhi; Prof. (Dr.) Anupam Jha, University of Delhi; Dr. Ivneet Kaur Walia, Registrar, RGNUL; Prof. (Dr.) Kamaljit Kaur, Dean Research and Student Welfare, RGNUL; Dr. Manpreet Kaur, Assistant Professor, RGNUL; and Mr. Siddhartha Fuller, Assistant Professor, RGNUL. The session synthesized the discussions and acknowledged participants’ contributions.
Significance Organized by RGNUL, a leading institution in legal education, in collaboration with prominent legal bodies, this conference marks a significant contribution to comparative constitutional law, celebrating the Indian Constitution’s 75-year journey and its global relevance.
