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Chandigarh, February 12, 2025 – Is accountability in public life fading? This pressing question took center stage as the Centre for Constitutional Values at BML Munjal University hosted an exclusive discussion celebrating the legacy of Professor Upendra Baxi, Professor Emeritus, University of Warwick and Former Vice Chancellor, Delhi University and University of Surat. The event gathered top legal minds, activists, and scholars to reflect on the impact of Prof. Baxi’s ground-breaking work, including his pivotal role in rape law reform and corporate accountability in the aftermath of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
The discussion was anchored around Of Law and Life, a newly published book by Orient Blackswan that chronicles Prof. Baxi’s legal interventions over decades. Four thematic panels dissected critical issues such as judicial independence, media influence on justice, climate responsibility, and democratic suppression of activism. At a time when institutions face mounting scrutiny and legal frameworks are being tested by political and social shifts, the discussions resonated beyond academic circles. Speakers deliberated on the evolving role of courts in safeguarding civil liberties, the rise of strategic litigation to silence dissent, and the growing influence of media narratives in shaping judicial outcomes. Notable speakers included Prof. Sudhir Krishnaswamy, VC, NLSIU Bangalore, Prof. Rajeev Bhargava, Mr. Harsh Mander, and leading civil liberties lawyers.
Prof. Baxi’s keynote speech challenged the audience to rethink the role of lawyers, activists, and academics in upholding democratic values. His reflections ignited intense discussions on whether courts are increasingly shaped by public opinion and whether legal aid systems truly serve justice.
The event concluded with a compelling public lecture by Prof. Susan Marks, LSE Law School on ‘Dignity: A Worldly Perspective’, challenging conventional notions of human dignity through global legal frameworks and real-world case studies. Her thought-provoking insights sparked an engaging discussion, leaving the audience with deeper reflections on justice, rights, and the lived realities of dignity.
