RPNLU hosts National Seminar on Constitutional Governance: Contemporary Challenges

The Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj (RPNLU) organised a National Seminar on 'Constitutional Governance: Contemporary Challenges' on May 10, 2025.

During the seminar, leading voices in legal academia critically reflected on the structural tensions and the evolving dynamics of India’s constitutional democracy. The deliberations focused on urgent concerns - judicial corruption, the crisis of accountability, the contested process of appointment of judges, and the philosophical underpinnings of power and liberty.

Vice-Chancellor, RPNLU, Senior Prof (Dr) Usha Tandon rendered the introductory remarks, in which she highlighted that constitutional governance today faces significant hurdles, notably the pervasive issue of corruption within its institutions, which erodes public trust and undermines the rule of law.

Prof Tandon added that the subtle or overt battle for supremacy among different branches of government can disrupt intended checks and balances, threatening the very foundation of constitutionalism.

She also lauded the success of India's recent cross-border military response, Operation Sindoor, citing it as a significant example of the country's commitment to constitutional governance, particularly in upholding national security and protecting its citizens.

Vice-Chancellor of the Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur (HNLU), Prof VC Vivekanandan took the discussion to a philosophical lane.

Drawing from Montesquieu, Antonio Gramsci, Hiroshi Nishihara, and the Bhagavad Gita, he traced how the idea of separation of powers has traversed centuries and civilizations.

Prof Vivekanandan asserted that the Constitution is India's only shared 'religion' was a powerful reminder of its role in holding together a diverse and complex society.

He invoked mythology to illustrate Montesquieu's idea that 'power must check power.' He elaborated that this principle is under threat in the contemporary political landscape.

Prof Devinder Singh, Panjab University, brought the spotlight to the collegium system and the unresolved question of judicial appointments. His argument to re-open the debate on the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) was grounded in a constitutional need for transparency and checks.

He urged the audience to consider whether any institutional structure could ever be perfect, suggesting that our constitutional compass must remain the doctrine of basic structure and the rule of law.

Prof. Uday Shankar from RGSIPL, IIT Kharagpur identified four dimensions of constitutional governance, namely - the fragility of fundamental rights without redress, the distortion of markets by corrupt practices, the neglected model of horizontal federalism, and the creeping erosion of judicial integrity.

He delved into a discussion on corruption in a constitutional democracy, emphasising not only its legal aspects but also  socio-economic aspects. He called for accountable constitutional governance, pushing the audience to rethink how democratic institutions can serve people meaningfully.

The interactive sessions saw active engagement from students who raised thoughtful questions on the role of technology in ensuring access to justice, the need for codification of uncodified legal domains such as tort law, and the evolving nature of rights and remedies in a tech-driven society.

Prof Uday Shankar responded by supporting a transformative but cautious integration of technology in judicial processes. He warned against over-mechanization, while encouraging innovation like digital filing and open court platforms.

Prof Devinder Singh linked the demand for codification to legal certainty and clarity, particularly in areas like torts where ambiguity often results in inconsistent outcomes.

Prof Vivekanandan encouraged students to view technology as a tool, not a substitute, for constitutional values, urging critical scrutiny over blind adoption.

As the session drew to a close, Prof Usha Tandon said,

“Such intellectually rigorous seminars not only expose our students to the pressing constitutional debates of our times but also nurture in them critical consciousness that is essential for the making of responsible, ethical legal professionals and engaged citizens.”

The seminar was part of RPNLU’s efforts to grow as a centre for meaningful legal dialogue and focus on educating students on real-world constitutional challenges and its possible solutions.

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