Call For Papers: International Seminar On Disability Rights And The Constitution By HPNLU Shimla & Law Mantra Trust

The Centre for Human Rights and Disability Studies, HPNLU Shimla, in collaboration with Law Mantra Trust, is organizing a Two-Day International Seminar on the theme: “Reimagining Disability Law through Indian Constitutionalism: Towards a Transformative Rights-Based Approach” on 18th & 19th July, 2025 Online via Google Meet.

India's Constitution promises every citizen equality, dignity, and justice. But for a long time, people with disabilities have been left out of this promise in many ways—be it access to education, employment, public spaces, or justice. While laws like the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and international commitments like the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) have created a strong legal foundation, the journey towards real inclusion and equality is far from over.

This two-day international seminar focuses on how we can look at disability rights through the lens of the Indian Constitution. It aims to explore how constitutional values like equality (Article 14), non-discrimination (Article 15), equal opportunity (Article 16), and the right to live with dignity (Article 21) can be used to strengthen and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. The seminar will bring together judges, lawyers, academics, students, policymakers, and activists—both from India and around the world—to discuss how constitutional law can be made more inclusive. It will look at how courts have interpreted disability rights, how policies can be improved, and how India can learn from other countries' experiences to do better. Organized by Law Mantra Trust in collaboration with Centre for Human Rights and Disability Studies, Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla, this event is meant to spark new ideas, encourage critical thinking, and help shape policies that empower persons with disabilities. The goal is simple: to make sure the promise of the Constitution reaches everyone, including those with disabilities.

Themes and Sub-Themes

• Constitutional Morality and Disability Rights
• Judicial Activism and Evolving Jurisprudence
• Disability and Substantive Equality under Articles 14, 15 & 16
• Constitutional Silences and Emerging Challenges
• Disability, Federalism, and Legislative Competence
• Role of Constitutional Bodies and Institutions
• Constitutionalism and UNCRPD Commitments
• Comparative Constitutionalism and Disability

Participation from legal professionals, academics, researchers, and students is invited to contribute papers on the seminar's themes. Selected papers will be published in an edited volume with an ISBN, with copyrights retained by Law Mantra Trust.

Note: The suggested sub-themes are indicative. Authors are welcome to research and present on related topics aligned with their interests.

Procedure for Submission of Abstracts

a) The abstract (of about 250 words) should be sent as an attachment in a Word file. Abstracts will be peer-reviewed before they are accepted.

b) The following information, in the given format, should be sent along with the Abstract:

c) Name of the Participant, Official Designation/Institution Details, Address and Email ID, Title of Abstract.

d) Submit the abstract to seminarnlus@gmail.com

e) Guidelines for Paper Submission and Other Guidelines:

i. The title of the paper should be followed by Name, Designation, Name of the Organization / University / Institution and Email address. It is mandatory to mention the Email address, as all future correspondence will be through it;

ii. Name and details of Co-author, if any;

iii. Chapter: Chapter should be in Times New Roman 12 point font and double spaced. Main Title should be in full capitals, bold and centered 12 point font. Sub-titles should be in sentence case, bold and 12 point font. Author's names should be in small capitals and centered 12 point font Footnotes should be in Times New Roman 12-point font;

iv. Citation Format: Please use footnotes rather than endnotes. Footnotes should conform to The Indian Law Institute, New Delhi Style;

v. Submission of the abstract: A cover letter with the name(s) of the author(s) and address, designation, institution/affiliation, the title of the manuscript and contact information (email, phone, etc.) is compulsory to submit. All submissions must contain an abstract of not more than 300 words with 5 Minimum Keywords;

vi. Originality of Manuscripts: All the contributions should be the original work of the contributors and should not have been submitted for consideration in any other Publication. Any plagiarized work will be out-rightly rejected;

vii. Copyright: The contributions presented to and accepted for publication and the copyrights therein shall be the Intellectual Property of Law Mantra;

viii. The title of the Chapter should be followed by Name, Designation, Name of the Organization / University / Institution and Email address. It is mandatory to mention the Email address, as all future correspondence will be through it;

ix. Name and details of Co-author, if any;

x. The paper should be typed in MS WORD format (preferably 2007 or 2010);

xi. The paper must be in single column layout with margins justified on both sides;

xii. The length of the paper should not be below 4,000 words (including footnotes) and should not Exceed more than 10,000 (Including Footnotes).

xiii. Registration Fee for the Student category is Rs 800 (Per Individual) and for Faculty/Professional/Research Scholar/Other is Rs 1200 (Per Individual). Both Author and Co–Author have to register separately.

xiv. Only Selected Abstract will be allowed for final registration.

xv. All communication should be emailed to seminarnlus@gmail.com

Publication Opportunity

Selected will be published in a book bearing ISBN. (If the Paper will be selected for Publication in a Book bearing ISBN, Contributors have to Contact the Publisher and will have to pay the charge if anyone wishes to procure a Hard Copy of the Book as per bill raised by the Publisher).

Important Dates

• Submission of Abstract: 3rd July, 2025

• Confirmation of Abstract Selection: 5th July, 2025

• Registration: 11th July, 2025

• Submission of Final Paper: 15th July, 2025

• Seminar Date: 18th & 19th July, 2025

• Submission of Revised Paper: 30th August, 2025

• Publication of Selected Paper: Notified Later on

Who Should Attend?

Students,Research Scholars/Faculties/Academicians, Corporate Delegates, Business entities, and Lawyers.

Rules for the Presentation:

• No abstract or full paper shall be accepted after the last date of submission respectively;

• Participants/Paper Presenters have to register after the acceptance of abstract with payment of required fees;

• For participation, registration is mandatory on confirmation of the participation. Only registered participants will be allowed to take part in Conference;

• All the registered participants will be provided a participation certificate;

• Event will be hosted through Zoom/Cisco-Webex or any other Online Platform.

• Technical Session will be organized through Google Meet/ Zoom/Cisco- Webex or any other Online Platform.

Contact

• +91-9310053923 (Law Mantra Office)
• Email: seminarnlus@gmail.com
• Website: www.lawmantra.org; www.hpnlu.ac.in

To Register as Attendee Visit: https://forms.gle/qnLAkKR8jRRxvL938?_imcp=1

For more details, refer to the brochure here.