The Forum

The Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950. This session of The Forum asks, has the Constitution succeeded (so far)?

Eminent Senior Advocate Arvind Datar would say yes. In a recent talk celebrating the “Indian Constitution @ 75 Years”, he reminded us that most fledgling post-colonial states saw their experiments with democracy fail. By contrast, India’s “improbable democracy” survived the 20^th Century, even in the face of existential threats.

Then, how are we to make sense of India’s current backsliding on global democracy rankings? How are we to respond to those who tell us that our fundamental rights and democratic institutions are in decline? We might worry that the Constitution is no longer fit for purpose. Yet, equally, we might see the Constitution as the only thing standing between us and tyranny. In short, is the Constitution failing us? Or, are we failing the Constitution?

In this session, we will engage with these questions both by examining contemporary constitutional controversies and attempting to place them in the historical context of India’s founding.

No prior knowledge of constitutional law is required.

This is the third of our sessions titled, The Forum, a series of engaging discussions held at the BIC Library. Our goal is to bring together individuals from all walks of life, ages 15 to 50, to discuss topics of importance in a setting that is both informed and informal. Whether you’re passionate about current events, social issues, or cultural topics, The Forum provides a platform for open dialogue and thoughtful exchange of ideas. Inspired by the ancient Roman forums, where citizens gathered to discuss and debate the issues of the day, these sessions aim to revive this tradition of community dialogue.