In a compelling address that resonated with legal scholars and students alike, Senior Advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi delivered the prestigious Granville Austin Memorial Lecture at O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), placing constitutional morality at the heart of India's democratic fabric.
Singhvi articulated that constitutional morality transcends the written text of the constitution, serving as the nation's ultimate moral compass. He emphasized that this principle is not a passive concept but an active, dynamic force that must guide the conduct of all individuals and institutions in public life.
Beyond the Letter of the Law
The senior advocate drew a crucial distinction between the constitutional text and the spirit that animates it. He argued that true constitutional governance is achieved only when this underlying morality informs the actions of lawmakers, the judiciary, and the citizenry. It is this spirit, he suggested, that ensures the constitution remains a living, breathing document relevant to contemporary challenges.
A Tribute to Granville Austin's Legacy
The lecture served as a fitting homage to Granville Austin, the renowned historian whose seminal work, The Indian Constitution: Cornerstone of a Nation, meticulously documented the drafting process. Singhvi's discourse built upon Austin's foundational understanding, exploring the ethical imperatives that flow from the constitutional framework he so famously chronicled.
By framing constitutional morality as the essential guide for public life, Singhvi provided a powerful lens through which to view current political and social discourse in India. His lecture reinforced the idea that the strength of Indian democracy depends not just on its institutions, but on the collective commitment to the ethical core of its founding document.
