Guest Lecture on Foundations of the Indian Constitution: Exploring the Basics of Constitutional Law

The Department of English, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus, organized a thought-provoking and interdisciplinary guest lecture titled “Foundations of the Indian Constitution: Exploring the Basics of Constitutional Law.” Designed for the postgraduate students of the MA in English with Digital Humanities program, the session was led by Prof. Shubham Thakur, Assistant Professor in the Department of Law, who brought legal depth and pedagogical clarity to the discussion. The event aimed to introduce students to the foundational principles of the Indian Constitution while highlighting its contemporary relevance in shaping cultural, political, and digital narratives.

The session began with an introduction to the Constitution as the grund norm—the foundational legal document from which all other laws in India derive authority. Prof. Thakur emphasized the Constitution’s dual role as both a legal and moral framework that governs democratic life and protects fundamental rights. He discussed the document’s historical evolution and its relevance in a modern and pluralistic society. Using real-world references, including media portrayals such as the film Nayak, he successfully made constitutional discourse accessible to a non-law audience.

Key themes of the session included the structure of the Indian government, the separation of powers among the legislature, judiciary, and executive, and the importance of legal safeguards such as anticipatory bail. Particularly impactful was the discussion on the balance between freedom of speech and limitations such as hate speech and sedition, as outlined in Article 124A of the Indian Penal Code. These segments sparked active engagement from students, who asked questions and debated the real-world implications of these constitutional provisions.

A major highlight was the explanation of the Constitution’s Preamble and the core values embedded in it—sovereignty, socialism, secularism, democracy, and republic. Prof. Thakur carefully dissected the philosophical and legal meanings of these terms, helping students understand how these ideals translate into everyday rights and responsibilities. He also explored the distinctions between equality and equity, as well as the principle of natural justice, thereby linking constitutional law to ethics and social policy.

The session also delved into fundamental rights, with particular emphasis on Articles 20 and 21, which protect personal liberties and cannot be suspended even during a national emergency. The students were introduced to landmark constitutional cases such as Keshavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala, which established the doctrine of the Constitution’s “basic structure”—a legal principle that ensures the core values of the Constitution remain inviolable despite amendments.

What set this lecture apart was its highly interactive format and Prof. Thakur’s openness to addressing controversial topics such as same-sex marriage, gender identity, and digital expression. Students appreciated the transparency, impartiality, and critical depth with which these discussions were conducted. Their feedback highlighted that the session was not only informative but also intellectually stimulating and empowering.

By framing constitutional principles within everyday contexts and societal debates, the lecture effectively aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities). It also resonated with the interdisciplinary and socially conscious vision of NEP 2020 by fostering legal awareness, critical thinking, and ethical sensitivity among students from a humanities background.

In conclusion, the session succeeded in demystifying constitutional law for students of literature and digital humanities, encouraging them to engage with legal frameworks as active and informed citizens. It promoted legal literacy, ethical reasoning, and social awareness, reinforcing key graduate attributes such as intellectual competence, effective communication, and social responsibility. This lecture has set a meaningful precedent for integrating legal and civic education into humanities curricula at CHRIST University.