DBRANLU Organizes National Conference On Indianisation Of The Legal System

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU), Sonepat hosted the National Conference on the Indianisation of the Legal System, a vibrant confluence of legal luminaries, scholars, and young minds. Held at the university campus, the conference served as a dynamic platform for in-depth discussions on three significant themes: Bharatiya Nyaya Shastra (Indian Jurisprudence), New Criminal Laws, and the Use of Technology in the Legal System. These discussions underscored the need for a shift from colonial legal vestiges to a system rooted in Indian values, culture, and contemporary societal needs. The conference also featured the unveiling of a reimagined Lady Justice statue by Justice N. Kotiswar Singh. Envisioned by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, the statue features Lady Justice with her blindfold removed and the sword replaced by the Constitution, symbolizing transparency, accountability, and justice rooted in Indian values.

Supreme Court Judge Leads Discourse on Indigenous Legal Reforms

The conference was honoured by the presence of Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Judge, Supreme Court of India, who attended as the Chief Guest. Also gracing the occasion as Special Guests of Honour were Justice Meenakshi I. Mehta and Justice Pankaj Jain, Judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Their participation added great depth and gravitas to the academic discourse. In his keynote address, Justice Kotiswar Singh passionately advocated for the integration of traditional Indian legal principles with the evolving needs of modern justice. He emphasised that the Indianisation of law must not only involve the adoption of native jurisprudence but also reflect a deep cultural and social understanding of justice. He welcomed the recent legislative developments in criminal law and called for broader engagement with Bharatiya legal thought and technological modernization of the justice system.

Judges Share a Meal with Students

Justice Kotiswar Singh, along with Justice Meenakshi I. Mehta and Justice Pankaj Jain, chose to forgo a pre-arranged lavish official dinner hosted by the authorities and instead joined the students and faculty of DBRANLU for a simple meal in the university hostel mess. The gesture, deeply appreciated by the students and faculty alike, was hailed as a moment of humility and solidarity. Many students described the experience as surreal, saying it marked a true bridging of the gap between the legal elite and the aspiring generation.

Leadership

The success of the conference was a result of the efforts and leadership of Shri Ashok Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of DBRANLU, and Prof. (Dr.) Ashutosh Mishra, Registrar of the University. Their vision and commitment to academic excellence made the event a benchmark for future scholarly initiatives.

Nationwide Participation and Intellectual Exchange

The conference witnessed participation from leading legal scholars, academicians, practitioners, and students from across India. Thought-provoking papers were presented, panel discussions were held, and interactive sessions facilitated an exchange of ideas on legal reforms, the need for re-codification, and the ethical integration of artificial intelligence and technology into judicial processes.

A Call for Continued Dialogue and Reform

As the curtains came down on this event, the message echoed by all participants was clear: the Indian legal system stands at the cusp of transformation. Continued dialogue, academic inquiry, and policy-level reforms are crucial to building a legal system that is accessible, indigenous, and just.

DBRANLU's organisation of this conference reaffirms its rising stature as a institution for legal scholarship, cultural introspection, and leadership in the Indian legal landscape.