BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 13th September 2025: Justice Arindam Lodh, Chairperson of the Tripura Human Rights Commission, delivered an enlightening lecture on the Indian Constitution and its evolving role in safeguarding human rights during the foundation day event of the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad on Saturday.
Speaking on the theme “78th Year of the Indian Constitution: Reflections & Challenges,” Justice Lodh reflected on the historical context and significance of the Constitution, emphasizing the critical role of judicial interpretation in expanding constitutional safeguards over the years.
Justice Lodh recalled that the Constitution faced harsh criticism when it was drafted, particularly from Sir Ivor Jennings, who described it as “too long, too rigid, and too prolix.” He contrasted this with Jennings’ own experience drafting the Sri Lankan Constitution, which lasted just 14 years, whereas India’s Constitution remains in force since its adoption on January 26, 1950.
“I still consider myself a student of law,” Justice Lodh remarked, stressing that the intense debates during the Constituent Assembly laid the foundation for the document, but it was subsequent judicial interpretations that played a vital role in shaping its practical application.
He urged law students and young advocates to study landmark judgments that reflect the true spirit of the Constitution. Highlighting significant cases, he spoke in detail about the Keshavananda Bharati case, which established the basic structure doctrine, and the Menaka Gandhi case, which ushered in a golden era in human rights jurisprudence.
Justice Lodh concluded by encouraging the audience to engage deeply with key judicial pronouncements that continue to shape India’s democratic and constitutional framework.
