In celebration of the 134th Birth Anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, JGU held a National Convention on ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's Legacy: Advancing Rights, Justice & Constitutional Governance’ from April 12 to 14.
Mr. R. Venkataramani, Attorney General for India, delivered the inaugural address of the National Convention on its opening day. In his address, he said: "Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was not merely a person who drafted the Constitution with certain ideas borrowed from elsewhere, but who wanted to bring into the Constitution certain visions and understanding which today permeate the Constitution and make it’s working different from ideologies, and is premised on equality, justice, fraternity and governance. All struggles towards equality and non-discrimination, and aspirations towards an egalitarian society will have to necessarily occur within the framework of the Constitution as it is the most powerful document to ensure that. Educational institutions can be a great bridge between governmental institutions, political parties, and social awareness. We have a long journey ahead and we need greater encouragement and engagement for equality. Dr. Ambedkar had an extraordinary vision with his understanding of philosophy, religion and economics to reach a social order when each one of us will have equal status and equal regard, beyond economic reordering."
The inaugural session of the National Convention was also addressed by Dr. Raja Sekhar Vundru, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Haryana, and Ms. Manjula Pradeep, National Convenor, National Council of Women Leaders, among other dignitaries.
Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU, said, "Dr. B.R. Ambedkar stands as one of India's most formidable scholars and revolutionary leaders of the 20th century. A visionary advocate for rights and a just society, particularly of and for marginalised communities, his ideas and practice made some of the most important and foundational structures of India possible, including the Indian Constitution. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar continues to inspire movements for justice and emancipation worldwide. To appreciate his enduring legacy, we want to facilitate, support and host some conversations, enlivening his life with our learnings and his remarkable scholarship with what concerns us today. This National Convention will prove to be a leading intellectual discourse enabling a contemporary understanding of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in modern India."
Professor (Dr.) Dipika Jain, Executive Dean, Jindal Global Law School, said, "The discussions, panels and keynote addresses over the three-day of the national convention will help us to better understand the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. It addresses how the Indian Constitution has been an enduring document that helped India commit to its democratic roots and ensured the rights of the individual. Various sessions during the convention will delve into these themes, which also include an incisive debate on the foresight of Dr. Ambedkar in shaping India's political ideas as well as economic thought."
This National Convention was participated by legal luminaries, distinguished academics, social activists, lawyers, founders, journalists, artists, and grassroots changemakers. Multiple sessions were focused on pertinent issues such as Dialogues of Dissent on Dr. Ambedkar; Sociology & the Construction of the Other; Dr. Ambedkar and Global Human Rights; Dr. Ambedkar and the Women's Question; Reservation and Its Futures; Religious Pluralism & Dr. Ambedkar's Embrace of Buddhism; Dalit Feminist Theory: Critique, Power and Revolutionising Feminist Thought; The Legal & the Ethical in Ambedkar's Conception of Emancipation. It also discussed contemporary questions such as Constitutional Moralities and Decriminalising Same-Sex Relations: A Critical Conversation; Digital India and the Question of Caste; and the Role of Media in Advancing Dr. Ambedkar's Legacy and more.