57th Panjab University Colloquium Lecture delivered by Professor Virendra Kumar

Chandigarh, August 27, 2019: 57th Panjab University Colloquium Lecture, presided over by Professor Raj Kumar, the Vice Chancellor, Panjab University Chandigarh was delivered by Professor Virendra Kumar, eminent Jurist and Professor Emeritus (Law), here today.

Professor Virendra Kumar’s spoke on “Socio-religious Reform through Judicial intervention: Its Limit and Limitation under the Constitution (A Critique of the Supreme Court Judgment in Sabrimala Temple Case (2018)” that opened up the doors of the Sabrimala Temple to all women ensuring and protecting their Fundamental Right to Equality.

Professor Virendra Kumar critiqued the limits and limitations of judicial interventions with special reference to the Sabrimala Temple Case Judgement (the Supreme Court 2018) . Prof taking cue from the codification of the religious practices followed by the devotees of Lord Ayappa, through Rule 3 (b) of the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship(Authorisation of Entry Rules, 1965 and illustrating how the nuanced and possible multiple interpretations of the Fundamental Rights contained in Articles 14,15, 25, and 26 of Part III of the Constitution of India vis a vis the “Freedom of Religion” under Article 25 and 26 on the grounds of Right to Equality and non-discrimination under Article 14 and 15.In the light of his cogent and rounded critical analysis, Professor Virendra Kumar concluded that “our salvation, in a democratic secular polity, lies, not in forcing ‘unity in uniformity’ from without but, in promoting ‘unity in diversity from within; diversity is neither discriminatory nor divisive, rather it is the essence of innate unity that makes India truly incredible, as it leaves the people free to evolve, develop and unfold their own potentials themselves in response to the call of space and time ( desh and kal)”.

The thought-provoking address was followed by a question-answer session.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Raj Kumar underlined the importance of creating and nurturing innovative ideas and opening up new frontiers of learning and research through the organisation of academic activities in the University. He also thanked the distinguished members of audience such as Hon’ble Mr Justice Ashok Bhan, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, and Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Shri Satya Pal Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India, Justice R.P. Nagarath (Judge of the High Court) and his gracious wife, Justice M.R.Agnihotri, Justice J.C.Verma, Justice J.C.Garg, Prof Shankarji Jha, the Dean, University Instruction, the PU Faculty and students.

The distinguished speaker – Professor Virendra Kumar and the Vice Chancellor, Prof Raj Kumar, appreciated the efforts of Professor Sudhir Kumar, the Coordinator, and the former Coordinator, Prof Promilla Pathak, and the members of the PU Colloquium Committee in making the event a success.