Report on

 

Constitution Day Celebration

 

26^th November, 2024

 

10:00AM to 4:30 PM

 

Organized by: Maharishi Law School in coordination with IQAC

 

Objective of the Celebration: On the occasion of Constitution Day, Maharishi Law School hosted a dynamic debate competition and panel discussion. The event aimed to deepen students' understanding of the Constitution and its ability to address emerging societal issues while offering a platform to showcase their oratory and critical thinking skills, and the discussion was a significant step towards raising awareness about the intersection of constitutional law and environmental sustainability, reflecting the growing importance of environmental protection in legal discourse.

Participating Students: 70 students of BA LLB, BBA LLB, and LL.B.

Maharishi Law School commemorated National Constitution Day on 26th November 2024, celebrating the adoption of the Indian Constitution with great enthusiasm and reverence. The event is filled with various activities, which include a dynamic debate competition with the central theme, "Has the Constitution reached the limits of what it can effectively protect, or should it be expanded to address modern challenges?" The event aimed to deepen students' understanding of the Constitution and its ability to address emerging societal issues while offering a platform to showcase their oratory and critical thinking skills. The event aimed to deepen students' understanding of the Constitution and its ability to address emerging societal issues while offering a platform to showcase their oratory and critical thinking skills. The debate was commenced in three stages, Preliminary round: Total 20 teams from different semesters of MLS participated in the debate to get qualified for the semi-final rounds. A total of 4 teams were selected by the esteemed panel of judges to enter into the semi-finals. - A total of 20 teams from different semesters of MLS participated in the debate to get qualified for the semi-final rounds. A total of 4 teams were selected by the esteemed panel of judges to enter into the semi-finals. The Final Round: A Surprise Twist

The competition reached its peak with an unexpected twist in the final round. The finalists were presented with a surprise topic: “Judicial Activism vs. Judicial Overreach.” This unexpected challenge tested their adaptability, critical thinking, and ability to articulate nuanced arguments under pressure.

Winners of the Competition were Saarang Soor Ananta Jha [BALLB, 5th semester] & Kanika Kukreja [BBALLB, 1st semester].

Runner-up: Kirti Bedi [BBALLB, 7th semester] & Nitya Srivastava [BBALLB, 1st semester]

Second runner-up: Vikas Sharma [BALLB, 3rd semester].

After concluding the debate competition, a thought-provoking panel discussion on the theme, "The Constitution and Environmental Protection: Pathways to Sustainable Development through ESG Principles," was hosted by MLS in collaboration with ECPFO, SAMVAW Foundation, IQAC, and Pro Bono Club. The event witnessed the esteemed presence of chief guest Hon'ble Justice Mr. Rajesh Tondon, former judge, Uttrakhand High Court, at Nainital; special guest Hon'ble Mr. Justice B.P. Singh, former judge, Supreme Court of India; and Sh. Rakesh Kumar Agarwal, chairman, ECPFO & SAMVAW Foundation. The Hon'ble Director General Prof. (Gp. Capt.) OP Sharma, Chancellor Sir Shri Ajay Prakash Shrivastava, Prof. (Dr.) Bhanu Pratap Singh Vice Chancellor Dr. Trapy Agarwal, Dean of Academics, and Dr. Smita Mishra, Deputy Dean of Academics, of Maharishi University were also present during the event. The event was further preceded by the revealing of a replica of the Constitution in the central library of Maharishi University of Information Technology, Noida campus, marking a significant milestone in reinforcing constitutional values and legal education. The panelists discussed various constitutional provisions and judicial interpretations that have shaped India's environmental landscape, including the landmark case of M.C. Mehta v. Union of India and the progressive role of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Key highlights from the discussion included:

• The right to a clean environment is part of the right to life, enshrined in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
• The role of public interest litigation (PIL) in promoting environmental justice.
• The importance of sustainable development as envisioned by the Directive Principles of State Policy under Article 48A, which directs the State to protect and improve the environment.
• The challenge of balancing economic growth and environmental protection, especially in the context of industrialization and urbanization.

Panelists also deliberated on the environmental challenges India faces today, such as air and water pollution, deforestation, and climate change, and how the legal framework can be utilized to address these issues more effectively. This thought-provoking panel discussion successfully highlighted the need for a robust legal framework that intertwines constitutional rights with environmental protection, setting a meaningful tone for Constitution Day celebrations at Maharishi Law School.