Prof. Faizan Mustafa Delivers 50th Gandhi Memorial Lecture at Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi
Prof. Faizan Mustafa delivered the 50th Gandhi Memorial Lecture on Gandhi’s views on the Indian Constitution and federalism.
New Delhi, 30th Jan – Prof. Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor of Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna, delivered the 50th Gandhi Memorial Lecture at the Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi. The event was attended by a packed audience, reflecting the enduring relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas in contemporary times.
Key Highlights of the Lecture
Prof. Mustafa’s lecture, titled “Indian Constitution and Mahatma Gandhi,” explored Gandhi’s perspectives on constitutionalism, democracy, and governance. He highlighted that Gandhi was uncomfortable with the Indian Constitution because it was rooted in Western liberalism rather than Indian spiritualism.
- Gandhi’s Vision for Federalism
- Prof. Mustafa explained that Gandhi envisioned village autonomy and a decentralized governance model, contrasting with the top-down administrative structure in India today.
- Emphasis on Duties Over Rights
- Gandhi believed in duties over rights, but not in the sense of a state-imposed framework. Instead, he advocated for self-imposed moral responsibilities at the grassroots level.
- Despite his skepticism of Western ideas of rights, Gandhi pragmatically moved the Karachi Resolution on Fundamental Rights in 1931.
- Gandhi’s Take on Nationalism
- Prof. Mustafa underscored that Gandhi did not support narrow nationalism that uses religion as a political tool for exclusion. He believed in inclusive nationalism based on mutual respect and harmony.
A Prestigious Lecture Series
The Gandhi Memorial Lecture series has previously been delivered by eminent scholars and jurists such as Nani Palkiwala, Justice Krishna Iyer, Prof. D.S. Kothari, Tara Ali Beg, Prof. Irfan Habib, Gopal Krishna Gandhi, and V.G. Verghese.
Prof. Mustafa’s speech was met with rapt attention from the audience, reaffirming his stature as a distinguished scholar in constitutional law and legal philosophy.
About Prof. Faizan Mustafa
Prof. Faizan Mustafa is a renowned legal scholar, constitutional expert, and academic leader. He has served as the Vice Chancellor of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, before taking charge as VC of Chanakya National Law University, Patna. His insights on constitutionalism, federalism, and fundamental rights continue to shape academic discourse in India.
The 50th Gandhi Memorial Lecture by Prof. Faizan Mustafa was a thought-provoking discourse on Gandhi’s vision for India and its constitutional framework. His emphasis on village autonomy, duties over rights, and inclusive nationalism highlights the relevance of Gandhi’s ideas in modern legal and political thought.
