Guwahati: Supreme Court Judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan while addressing a gathering at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) on Saturday said that independence of the judiciary was a basic and essential feature of the Constitution.
During a thought-provoking talk on “Constitution: Equality and Democracy”, Justice Bhuyan discussed the Constitution and how it has shaped the concepts of equality and democracy and also threw light on the concept of reservation on the basis of inequality.
Organised by the University School of Law and Research (USLR) of USTM, the event was witnessed by many law students and faculty members of USLR, JB Law College Guwahati, NEF Law College and Dispur Law College.
Addressing a huge gathering, Justice Bhuyan said Article 368 of the Constitution of India which deals with the power of Parliament—to amend the Constitution—assumes great significance.
“The essence of our Constitution is equality between men and men and men and women. It seeks to establish a just society. It is indeed a transformative government”, he said.
He urged the students to go through and understand the Preamble of the Constitution.
“Whenever you go through the Preamble, you will get a new vision, a new understanding. The Preamble indicates the source from which the Constitution comes. It should be interpreted as a part of the Constitution. The objectives specified in the Preamble contain the basic structure of the Constitution which cannot be amended in the exercise of the power under Article 368 of the Constitution,” he added.
Appreciating the USTM, Justice Bhuyan said, “University is not only a place of higher learning but it is a place where youthful minds interact and blossom. I am confident that in due course of time, USTM will become a leading centre of knowledge not only in the country but its name and fame will spread beyond the frontiers of the country”.
Justice Bhuyan said that Article 14, having the components of equality before the law and equal protection of the law may appear as a mundane process, but these expressions have immense meaning and are the essence of our Constitution which forms the fulcrum of the rule of law.
He said that in the initial state, the view of the Constitution regarding amendment was that any part of the Constitution is amendable.
Dear Reader,
Over the past four years, EastMojo revolutionised the coverage of Northeast India through our sharp, impactful, and unbiased coverage. And we are not saying this: you, our readers, say so about us. Thanks to you, we have become Northeast India’s largest, independent, multimedia digital news platform.
Now, we need your help to sustain what you started.
We are fiercely protective of our ‘independent’ status and would like to remain so: it helps us provide quality journalism free from biases and agendas. From travelling to the remotest regions to cover various issues to paying local reporters honest wages to encourage them, we spend our money on where it matters.
Now, we seek your support in remaining truly independent, unbiased, and objective. We want to show the world that it is possible to cover issues that matter to the people without asking for corporate and/or government support. We can do it without them; we cannot do it without you.
Support independent journalism, subscribe to EastMojo.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
“There has been a debate on the basic structure theory or doctrine of the Constitution since 1975. The basic structure of the Constitution should not be changed during any kind of amendment of the Constitution,” he added.
Earlier, the welcome address was made by Prof GD Sharma, Vice Chancellor of USTM. The programme ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof Subhram Rajkhowa, senior faculty at USLR, which was followed by the singing of the National Anthem.
Also Read | Meghalaya: Harijan Colony issue could be solved this year, says deputy CM
Trending Stories
- What happens after net zero? The impacts will play out for decades
- Manipur: Vatican ambassador to India visits relief camp in Imphal
- Tripura BJP appoints “feedback gatherers” for 20 tribal seats
- Manipur: Police rescue abducted student; 8 held
- Nagaland: Ahead of Hornbill finale, festival goers face traffic woes
- LPG transporters suspend indefinite strike, cooking gas supply to continue
