Former Union Law Minister Dr. Ashwani Kumar Invited By French President Emmanuel Macron For Robert Badinter's Pantheonisation Ceremony

Dr. Ashwani Kumar, former Union Minister for Law and Justice and a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India, has been accorded a distinguished honor with an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron of France. Dr. Kumar is invited to attend the Pantheonisation ceremony for the revered French jurist and statesman, Mr. Robert Badinter, in Paris. The ceremony is slated to take place on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Panthéon.

A Rare Honor and High-Level Attendance

The Pantheonisation is described as an exceptional honor reserved for the most distinguished French citizens, and the ceremony is presided over by the President of France himself. Mr. Badinter, who served as the French Minister for Justice under President Mitterrand and later as President of France's Constitutional Council, is being recognized with this final resting place at the Pantheon.

Dr. Ashwani Kumar confirmed he will be present at the ceremony on October 9th, having thanked the French President for the gracious invitation.

Robert Badinter: Crusader for Abolition of Capital Punishment

The honor recognizes Robert Badinter's profound contributions, particularly his successful efforts as a crusader for the abolition of capital punishment in France. Dr. Kumar expressed his deep admiration for the late statesman in a statement to the press, highlighting Badinter as a "distinguished humanist, jurist, and a statesman of France".

"I am honoured and delighted by President Emmanuel Macron's invitation to attend the Pantheonisation ceremony" Dr. Kumar stated, further adding that Badinter's "selflessness and passionate espousal of human rights and public causes, distinguished him as a great son of the French Republic".

Indo-French Ties

Dr. Ashwani Kumar's attendance underscores his longstanding relationship with the French political leadership. He also previously served as President of the Indo-French Parliamentary Friendship Group.

In his press statement, Dr. Kumar recalled his personal association with Mr. Badinter: "I had the honour of knowing Mr Robert Badinter... for the last several years and had the opportunity of visiting him in Paris on a few occasions in recent years".

Dr. Kumar, as a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court and Former Union Minister of Law and Justice, thanked President Macron and the French government for "according Mr Robert Badinter the exceptional honour of being interred in the Pantheon in Paris".