An Inaugural That Set the Tone at MNLU Mumbai
The inaugural ceremony of the International Conference on “Constitutionalism to Transformative Constitutionalism: Rethinking the Constitutions Across Time and World” was held today, on 18th April 2026, at Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai.
Organised by the Centre for Research in Public Law, Policy and Jurisprudence in collaboration with the University of Colombo, the event brought together a diverse academic and legal audience with students, researchers, and practitioners, both within the hall and virtually. There was a quiet sense of anticipation in the room, the kind that usually accompanies conversations that aim to go beyond the obvious.
The ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Justice Pankaj Mithal and Hon’ble Justice Augustine George Masih, along with the Vice-Chancellor, Dilip Ukey. Their presence itself underscored the importance of the theme—constitutionalism not just as a static doctrine, but as something far more alive and evolving.
The inaugural addresses, though not part of detailed panel discussions, were reflective and set the tone for the conference ahead. The guests, through their remarks, highlighted how constitutionalism today is increasingly being understood not merely as a mechanism to limit state power, but as a framework that engages with questions of justice, inclusion, and societal transformation.
What stood out was not a single takeaway, but an underlying idea that constitutions are no longer viewed as distant legal texts. They are expected to respond to real-world inequalities, adapt to shifting societal needs, and remain relevant in a rapidly changing landscape. That shift from rigidity to responsiveness seems to be at the heart of the conference itself.
The atmosphere in the hall reflected this transition. It did not feel like a routine formal ceremony; rather, it felt like the beginning of a larger, evolving conversation. For many in attendance, especially students, it was a reminder that constitutional law is not just something to be studied in abstraction, but something that continues to shape and be shaped by the realities around us.
As the conference moves forward, the depth will come from the discussions that follow. But if the inaugural is anything to go by, the foundation has been thoughtfully laid for conversations that matter.