Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur, celebrated the 80th Independence Day on August 15 with the Fifth Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Lecture, delivered by Distinguished Jurist Professor Prof. (Dr.) Paramjit Jaswal, former Vice Chancellor of HNLU.
The celebrations began with the hoisting of the National Flag by Vice Chancellor Prof. V.C. Vivekanandan in the presence of students, faculty and staff, followed by a cultural programme presented by students.
Delivering the lecture titled “Freedom after Freedom: Gandhi, the Constitution and the Unfinished Republic,” Prof. Jaswal reflected on the meaning of freedom, democratic responsibility and the continuing relevance of Gandhian thought.
Drawing from Gandhi's experience of discrimination in South Africa, he explained the principle “E + R = O” (Event + Reaction = Outcome), emphasising that while events may not always be within one's control, the response to them can shape the outcome.
Prof. Jaswal stressed that India's progress should not be measured only through economic growth and material development, but also through the rule of law, dignity of citizens and social well-being. He highlighted Gandhi's vision of Swaraj, ethical governance, communal harmony, dignity of labour and education.
Addressing contemporary challenges including inequality, environmental degradation, artificial intelligence, misinformation, cybersecurity and data privacy, he cautioned, “Technological advancement has made humanity more connected; it has not automatically made humanity wiser.”
Concluding his lecture, Prof. Jaswal said, “The Republic remains unfinished not because it has failed, but because democracy is always a work in progress.”
The programme also saw the release of Volume XI, Issue I of the HNLU Journal of Law & Social Sciences and the edited volume Navigating the Future: AI, Metaverse & IP Conundrum. Copies of the Constitution of India were distributed to first-year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and LL.M. students.
The newly constituted Student Bar Council also took oath, with Vedant Rathi and Vimla Choudhary assuming office as President and Vice-President respectively.
The University also inaugurated upgraded learning spaces, including Learners' Lounge I and new group discussion facilities in Learners' Lounge II.
The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Lecture Series, instituted in 2022, continues to provide a platform for reflection on Gandhian philosophy, constitutional values, ethical leadership and democratic responsibility.