The conference on ‘Constitution and National Unity’ envisions to critically reflect upon general themes related to Constitutional Law (The Constitution in Motion) and Justice; and more particularly upon India’s governance structure and its implications, division of power and independency of constitutional institutions, welfare state and affirmative action. Our Constitution, being the one that starts with a Preamble declaring India as a Sovereign, Socialist, Democratic and Republic re-emphasises the need to ensure that the Constitution is being implemented in consensus with the spirit of our Preamble. An onus, both Constitutional and Moral lies upon all of us, more so upon the elected representative government in power to ensure that these ideals embedded within the constitutional framework are honoured and adhered both in letter and spirit.
As we step into the 75th Year, ever since our Constitution was adopted, the structure of the Constitution of India continues to be debated. Its embedded values are often debated against owing to misconceptions or underlying vested interests. This conference, is therefore a testimony to the fact that the preservation of the Constitution, and its implementation in the right sense matters to us, as a ‘State’.
While the conference seeks to also address issues pertaining to unity, language and identity, it also seeks to accommodate regional identities. It identifies the true definition of ‘Unity’ to be that of being together while still acknowledging the differences. The conference is an attempt and our anchor to sail through the present challenges of economic inequalities, social exclusion and other governance challenges. We thus look forward to rethink about these challenging paradigms; propose innovative ideas to redress structural problems in India and the world and forge constructive synergies to collectively work towards honoring the values of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity and Justice.
Charting India’s Constitutional Evolution: From Colonial Rule to Egalitarian Democracy in 75 Years.
Assessing 75 Years of Welfare: Constitutional Promises, Developmental Trajectories, and Justice Mechanisms.
Karnataka Unveiled: SCSP TSP, Government Guarantees, Welfare Initiatives, and Social Justice Movements.
Empowering Karnataka: Bridging Federal Gaps, Linguistic Diversity, Subaltern Rights, Democracy Strengthening, and Youth Leadership.
- Reflect on seven decades of India’s Constitution, sparking debates on its structural dynamics and embedded values.
- Emphasize the significance of preserving and implementing the Constitution, aligning with the State’s responsibility and moral duty.
- Engage in discussions on unity, language, identity, and the accommodation of regional identities, fostering a comprehensive exploration of the nation’s diversity.
- Define unity as coexistence with acknowledgment of differences, transcending challenges and forging a stronger national identity.
- Position the conference as a pivotal anchor in navigating contemporary challenges, including economic inequalities, social exclusion, and broader governance issues.
- Encourage a global outlook by fostering discussions on India’s constitutional journey and governance challenges in the context of the world, fostering international collaboration for shared progress.
- Encourage participants to rethink existing paradigms, fostering a collective commitment to addressing societal and structural problems within India and globally.
- Propose and discuss innovative ideas as a response to structural challenges, contributing to a forward-thinking approach in addressing complex issues.
- Delve into the redressal of economic disparities, emphasizing the importance of social inclusion and proposing actionable solutions for a more equitable society.
- Advocate for forging constructive synergies among stakeholders to collectively work towards upholding the foundational values of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, and Justice.
- Conclude with a shared commitment to honor constitutional values, ensuring a united and just society, resonating with the principles of the Constitution as India advances into the future.
Our Constitution Framers steered India from a colonial authoritarian state to a constitutional democratic republic. This monumental shift. among other things, involved establishing adult franchise, representative government, and independent institutions like Courts to uphold the rule of law. Further, they sought to overhaul a traditional society rooted in caste hierarchy and patriarchy, envisioning a modern egalitarian society built on the dignity of every individual and fostering fraternal relations among all. Further, their vision extended to restructuring a feudal economy based on concentrated wealth and large land holdings by distributing land and economic resources, thereby ensuring social and economic welfare.
Theme 1 of the ‘Constitution and Unity of India Conference’ will explore India’s founding moment as a reference point in comprehending, navigating, and resolving contemporary constitutional, political, economic, and social challenges. The theme will unfold through five panels, each dedicated to addressing a specific aspect of origins and practice of Indian constitutionalism:
• Constitutionalism and Democracy in the 21st Century
• Ensuring Equality and Equity
• Holding Together India’s Federalism
• Institutional Guard Rails for Democracy
• Building A Constitutional Culture & Consciousness
These panels will feature a dynamic mix of academics, policymakers, parliamentarians, and members of India’s civil society. The discussions within these panels will be collaborative and generative, fostering debate on the aforementioned themes and their implications for the present and future.
“The Constitution and Unity of India” conference aims to discuss the theme of welfare within the constitutional paradigm, taking a critical look at the developmental trajectory and justice mechanisms in the 75 years since India’s independence.
Session A, “Constitutional Promises and Developmental Achievements in 75 Years: A Critique,” provides a comprehensive examination of job opportunities, income/wealth distribution, reservation policies, and the state of education, addressing both public and private sectors.
In Session B, “Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and Citizenship: A Review,” discussions will revolve around Ambedkar’s perspective, national unity, the concept of a common civil code, state reorganisation, and the principles of cooperative federalism.
Meanwhile, Session C, “Social and Economic Justice: An Appraisal,” explores social inequity, untouchability, intergroup inequality, malnutrition, poverty, and civic amenities like housing, water, and sanitation.
Additionally, Session D scrutinises the intricacies of income inequality and delves into the potential of Universal Basic Income.
Session E, “Economic backwardness of SCs/STs/OBCs and Minorities: A Review of Policies,” critically assesses existing policies focusing on education, land, and women. This conference aims to facilitate a profound exploration of India’s constitutional foundations, uniting scholars, policymakers, and practitioners for enlightening discussions and formulating pragmatic solutions to propel the nation toward progress and unity.
The Theme 3 of the Conference focusses on the State of Karnataka. The first panel will focus on development and progress in the light of constitutional directives. The intricate web of developmental dimensions of our constitution with special focus on Karnataka shall be the prime dialogue. It shall engage in discussions on land ownership, affirmative action with reference to employment in the state.
The focus of Panel-II is upon the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) and the Schedule Caste Sub-Plan of Karnataka (SCSP). It shall delve into budget allocations, the impact of these plans and address them as a tool for economic empowerment.
The Panel III looks forward to carry out in-detail discussions on the five guarantees rolled out by the incumbent Government of Karnataka and the Universal Basic Income. The discussions will provide a nuanced understanding of the policies and their implications for ensuring citizens’ well-being.
Subsequently, Panel IV will address the welfare of backward classes and minorities, and also seeks to improve the conditions of the OBCs, minority communities and women, paving the way for inclusive policy frameworks.
The Panel V will shed light on the foot prints of Social Justice in Karnataka, emphasizing on the role of our historical leaders, artists and social reformers in shaping the state’s socio-cultural landscape. The session will also discuss social movements related to castes and Dalit rights in Karnataka.
The Panel-I aims at engaging in discussions that look towards bridging the gaps in the federal system and addressing the North-South divide in the light of Directive Principles of State Policy.
The linguistic dimensions and its inter-play with the federal structure is the prime focus on Panel-II. It shall also hold discussions on multi-lingual and multi-cultural diversities and preservation of these distinctions amidst the debates of having a homogenous linguistic identity.
The Panel-III addresses the subaltern cultures in the mainstream India. It seeks to redress the challenges faced by communities which are often deprived of socio-political rights and basic needs like food, water etc. This discussion also integrates itself with the principles embedded in our Preamble.
The Panel IV focussed on Democracy and Ballot. In a democracy, the responsibility and right of every individual and the nation has to be built through the system of voting which is the most holistic duty. There are still many issues like feudal mentality, illiteracy, ignorance, casteism, religious differences among many other problems in India, and there should be discussions about the importance of voting of these citizens and the roles of every individual in creating awareness to strengthen democracy.
The objective of Panel V is to reiterate the role of youth in Nation Building. It opens up a forum for discussion on the role of youth in nation building of the integrity of the country and the development of all races and the building of youth leadership.
The Department of Social welfare is organizing Expo and display as part of the Mega Conference, anchored by Karnataka Residential Educational Institution Society KREIS Karnataka Residential Educational Institution Society (KREIS). KREIS proudly presents an annual exhibition tailored for the bright young minds of classes 6th to 10th. Aimed at fostering scientific temper and instilling the values of democracy and the constitution, this unique event serves as a platform for over 2 Lakh children studying in KREIS schools across the state.
This year’s exhibition, themed around the Constitution and key aspects of democracy, features projects from students across the state. The event not only showcases the diverse talents of our students but also reinforces the principles of social and economic justice, affirmative actions, and the spirit of Unity in Diversity, Equality, and Fraternity.
Celebrating the architect of our Constitution and his vision for a just and inclusive society.
Exploring initiatives that promote equality and empower marginalised communities.
Encouraging critical thinking about economic policies and their impact on society.
Embracing the foundational principles that bind our diverse nation together.
In addition to constitutional themes, the expo will feature projects on environmental issues, ICT, artificial intelligence, and more.
Jayamahal, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560006
