NONGPOH:
Supreme Court Judge Ujjal Bhuyan on September 30 delivered a lecture on “Constitution: Equality and Democracy” at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) emphasizing that the basic structure of the Constitution, especially its core principles of equality and democracy, should remain unaltered.
The event was organised by the University School of Law and Research (USLR) of USTM, drawing an audience comprising law students and faculty members from various prominent law colleges.
Addressing the gathering, Justice Bhuyan highlighted the significance of Article 368 of the Indian Constitution, which governs the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution. He stressed that the Constitution aims to establish a just and equal society, and its objectives, encapsulated in the Preamble, constitute the unalterable foundation of the Constitution. He encouraged students to reflect on the Preamble daily, as it provides a source of vision and understanding regarding the Constitution’s essence.
Praising USTM for being a hub of learning and youthful interaction, Justice Bhuyan expressed confidence in its potential to become a renowned knowledge center. He shed light on Article 14, emphasizing its critical components of equality before the law and equal protection of the law, asserting that these principles are the fulcrum of the rule of law and essential to the Constitution’s essence.
Discussing the Constitution’s evolution, Justice Bhuyan mentioned the debate on the basic structure theory that began in 1975. He firmly stated that the fundamental structure of the Constitution must remain inviolate and should not be subject to alterations during any constitutional amendments.
Chancellor M Hoque and Vice Chancellor Prof GD Sharma felicitated Justice Bhuyan, commending his insightful discourse. The event concluded with the singing of the National Anthem, marking a fitting end to an engaging and enlightening session.
