Ganderbal, Nov 26 (KNS): Central University of Kashmir (CUK) organised a lecture “Constitution of India: Safeguarding Democracy and Secularism,” to commemorate the Constitution Day in the varsity on Friday.
Addressing the gathering, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Shah described the Constitution as sacrosanct, comprehensive and complete in all respects and one among the best in the world. “The Constitution has given India a distinct identity in the world and has safeguarded the rights and freedom of the individuals, irrespective of caste, creed, color, gender and religion, across the length and breadth of the country,” he said. Prof. Farooq Shah said the Constitution describes India as Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and Democratic country and the same is followed in letter and spirit. He said that all the people should inculcate the moral responsibilities and fundamental duties as enshrined in the Constitution and opined that the constitutional duties represent constitutional ethos and spirit, which if implemented will make enforcement of fundamental rights easy.
Speaking on the occasion, Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar said the Constitution has guaranteed us the right to speech and freedom and practice our religion without any inhibitions. “The Articles mentioned in the Constitution reflect the struggle and sacrifices of our freedom fighters,” he said, adding the Constitution of the country has withstood the test of the times on several occasions and has proved supreme. Prof. Zargar said the Constitution has played a vital role in strengthening the institutions like Panchayati Raj at the grass root level and providing basic facilities to the people, cutting across religious and regional boundaries. He asked the participants to follow the Constitution in order to make India a vibrant democracy and nation.
In his address, Controller of Examinations and Dean School of Legal Studies, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Mir said, the Constitution is a sacred document which is the realization of the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters during the struggle for independence. “India is a strong and robust democracy and Republic because of the Articles framed in the Constitution,” he said, adding the judiciary has also played a pivotal role in upholding the Constitutional guarantees of individuals.
Delivering the lecture, Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Muhammad Yousuf Dar said, “The Constitution of India promotes the Constitutionalism whereby it not only confers the powers to State or instrumentalities of State but also limits their powers.”
“The Secularism and Democracy are the essential features of the constitution of India hence beyond the amending power of Parliament. Amending power of the parliament does not extend to rewriting the Constitution held by the Apex Court of the Country in its different judicial pronouncements. The judiciary is the guardian of Constitution of India a constitutional duty on the constitutional courts of the country to uphold the spirit of constitution and bound down the State and State instrumentalities to the constitutional morality,” he said adding that Part III of Constitution of India which enshrines the Fundamental rights of people are interpreted by the Constitutional Courts in context of International Conventions on Human Rights.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Dean DSW, Prof. Mehraj ud Din Shah said the main purpose of commemorating the day was to generate awareness among the faculty members and students about the Constitution and the rights and duties of individuals enshrined in it. The participants also took a pledge on the occasion, which was administered by the Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar.
Assistant Prof. Department of English, Dr. Ishrat Bashir conducted the programme proceedings and also proposed the vote of thanks. (KNS)