Date/Time
Date(s) - 11/08/2025 - 12/08/2025
9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Location
server room
Categories
Two-Day National Seminar
On
Indian-Swatva, Our Constitution and Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar
[11 to 12 August 2025]
Concept Note:
“Indianness is our identity. We are citizens of this great nation, India. We are all overwhelmed today by its unprecedented and unimaginable progress. Undoubtedly, our Constitution has given us everything. It is well known that if the three institutions-executive, legislature, and judiciary-function within their limits and
maintain dignified conduct, then the Indian people, who are so talented, can achieve anything-They can make the impossible possible. The Preamble of the Constitution is its foundation. Its goal is social welfare. This entire structure rests on the pillars of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. But even before that comes our Indian-essence, which aspires for the well-being of all-‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah’ (May all be happy).
The Indian Sanatan (eternal) system undoubtedly insists on living a life of righteousness and proper vision, as expressed in our timeless creations. There are many excellent examples of the evolution of our modern culture and civilization in this Indian land. The foundations of statecraft and duty-consciousness expressed in the Upanishads, Vedas, and the Gita are extraordinary in the context of Indian heritage and its relation to nature and creation.
It is also said in the Mahabharata
लोक-रंजनम्एव अत्र, राज्ां धममः सनातनः।
सत्यस्य रक्षणं चैव, व्यवहारस्य चाजमवम॥्
“That is to say, the state’s conduct should be aimed at ensuring the happiness of its people-its citizensstanding with truth, and behaving with simplicity. If we look at Indian history, the reigns of rulers like Maharaja Vikramaditya, Emperor Ashoka, and Devi Ahilyabai Holkar stand as prime examples of exemplary governance. Chanakya’s Arthashastra also offers many law-abiding and justice-oriented models. These serve as benchmarks for our ancient civilizational development and the disciplined lifestyle
of that era. Today, our India is governed by the Constitution, which our country adopted in 1950. Over 300 great minds contributed their efforts to crafting this document. With the special contributions of Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, this Constitution became a foundational text for the civilizational development of India. As we celebrate the ‘Amrit Mahotsav’-the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution, it is a time for introspection about our people’s nature, culture, and glorious history of achievements.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, not only shaped its structure but also presented the concept of justice rooted in Indian values, envisioning a brighter future for all Indian citizens. He expected this Constitution to protect the values and dignity of the oppressed, deprived, and suffering. At this 75th milestone, we must also acknowledge the 15 women members of the Constituent Assembly. Among them, the name of Dakshayani Velayudhan cannot be forgotten- she rose from a marginalized community to contribute significantly to constitutional debates, particularly on issues affecting Dalits and labourers.
We must also remember women like Hansa Mehta, who was involved in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as Durga Bai Deshmukh and Rajkumari Amrit Kaur-each made essential contributions to the formation of our Constitution. This is the time to honour their legacy. The phrase ‘We, the People of India’ embodies the collective Indian identity and the call for ‘Justice for All’ that is embedded within our Constitution. India’s commitment today is rooted in the Constitution, which establishes it as a ‘sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic.’ The Constitution is the supreme legal document that binds together the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government while granting fundamental rights to citizens and empowering the independent judiciary to nullify any laws or actions that violate it. Reforms made by Parliament from time to time strengthen democracy and safeguard both individual and
collective rights and dignity. Former President Pranab Mukherjee, in the Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Lecture, highlighted Dr. Ambedkar’s critical role in shaping the Directive Principles of State Policy. These principles mandate the nation to strive for the welfare of its people through the establishment of a just social order. They lay the foundation for a social democracy. In Dr. Ambedkar’s own words: ‘We must make our political democracy a social democracy as well. What does social democracy mean? It means a way of life which recognizes liberty, equality, and fraternity as the principles of life. These principles are not to be treated as separate; they are a triad, and separating one from the other would defeat the very purpose of democracy. Without equality, liberty would produce the supremacy of a few over many. Without liberty, equality would kill individual initiative. Without fraternity, liberty and equality could not become a natural course of things. To implement them, we will need a guardian…’
On the social front, India still has a society based on graded inequality-where one group rises at the expense of others. On the economic front, there is a chasm between the few with immense wealth and the many struggling in abject poverty. How long can we live with such contradictions? We must eliminate this contradiction as soon as possible, or else the people suffering from inequality will overthrow the framework of political democracy.
As we stand in the 21 st century and increase our presence in the digital and global sphere, a key challenge for India is to advance towards prosperity while staying connected to its core Indian identity. Our developmental milestones require us to continuously self-reflect. Today, questions arise: How can the strength of our Constitution be re-evaluated? If we are to integrate India’s ancient vision into a dynamic constitutional framework, what would that look like? Has the Indian Constitution been able to fully integrate the country’s cultural and moral values and its essential identity? What challenges does our Constitution face today? How can we, by aligning with constitutional values, face global challenges and participate in international competition? What do global institutions say about India? Today, India is the fastest-growing economy in the world. So, how can our justice system, in alignment with Indian identity, better establish, protect, and uphold human dignity? Even now, the complexity of legal language, expressions, and jargon remains beyond the grasp of the general public. Justice, courts, stakeholders, and common citizens remain entangled in the confusing web of democracy and dignity. Yet India is globally recognized as a tolerant, justice-loving, liberal nation with a universal outlook.
Tolerance is our self-expression. In this context, the questions, concerns, and challenges of Indian citizensespecially the poor, marginalized, oppressed, women, children, elderly, and disabled, who still have unwavering faith in the Constitution-stand before us like ancient riddles. Without a doubt, on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution, these questions must be examined. Dr. Ambedkar’s contributions and his dream for India must be revisited, along with the question of how a Constitution can be created that integrates both the Indian identity and modern democratic values. If we can honestly assess India’s spiritual roots, its journey from the end of colonial rule to the adoption and implementation of the Constitution, and the 75-year journey that followed, then India will undoubtedly be able to determine its rightful path and direction.”
Sub-Themes:
1. Indian Culture and Our Constitution
2. The State, Colonial Era, and the Constitution
3. Ideological Convergences and Differences Among the Constitution Makers
4. The Indian Perspective on Constitutional Amendments
5. 75 Years of the Constitution and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
6. Justice in Indian Scriptures and the Indian Constitution
7. The Constitution and Social Harmony
8. The Role of Women in Constitution-Making
9. The Constitution, Global Challenges, and the Indian Perspective
10. Protection of Human Rights and the Constitution
11. Marginalized Communities and the Constitution
12. Questions of Justice, Dignity, and Universality
13. Indian Eternal Justice and Our Constitution
14. Indian Autonomous Institutions, Constitution, and Their Challenges
15. Challenges in Constitutional Reforms
16. Sovereign Power and Universal Indian Values
17. Complexities of Western Constitutions and Features of the Indian Constitution
18. Indian Constitution and Sustainable Development Goals
19. Climate Change, Environmental Crisis, and Justice
20. Religion and the Constitution
21. The Conflict Between the Eternal Indian Vision and Our Constitution
22. Developed India @2047 and the Indian Constitution
23. The Digital Age and Our Constitution
24. Nature, Justice, and the Constitution
25. Indian Federalism and Challenges to the State
26. Indian Knowledge Traditions, New Education Policy, and the Constitution
Call for Papers
A limited number of participants will be invited for the Seminar. Those interested in participating should send (preferably by email) an abstract (300 words) of the proposed paper in English only along with their C.V. (One page) directly to Prof. Kanhaiya Tripathi, Email: kanhaiya.tripathi@cup.edu.in copy to hindswaraj2009@gmail.com Mobile 📱: 9818759757 and copy to the Academic Resource Officer, Indian institute of Advanced Study, Shimla (HP) on his Email seminar@iias.ac.in Tel: 0177-2831385 The last date for submission of abstract (500 words) is till 31st July 2025 05:00 PM. The Institute intends to send Invitation letters to selected participants by the 31st July, 2025. It is the policy of the Institute to publish the papers not proceedings of the seminars it organizes. Hence, all invited participants will be expected to submit complete papers (in English/Hindi only), hither to unpublished and original, with citations in place, along with a reference section, to the Convener and copy to the Academic Resource Officer, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla– 171005 (Himachal Pradesh) by 10th August, 2025.
The IIAS, Shimla will be glad to extend its hospitality (free hospitality is provided only to the Seminar participant) during the seminar period and is willing to reimburse, if required, rail or air travel expenses from the place of current residence in India, or the port of arrival in India, and back.
Note: Plagiarism is a serious academic offence and the Institute reserves the right to cancel the selection/participation of a candidate found guilty at any stage.