Ahmedabad: The two-day conclave ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam ki Oar’ commenced at Gitarth Ganga Upashraya in Paldi under the aegis of Jain Acharya Yugbhushansuri on Saturday. The first day was dedicated to the discussion of sovereignty, basic structure doctrine and secularism.
The legal theme was chosen to mark 75 years of the Indian Constitution and 51 years of the basic structure doctrine, among others, said organisers.
Acharya, in his speech, said that the three legal concepts of sovereignty, basic structure doctrine and secularism within the theme seem disconnected, but they are connected synergistically and, when in sync, would evolve into an ideal system of governance.
“The sovereignty, territorial or extra-territorial, cannot be absolute but limited by moral values. One of the moral limitations on state sovereignty is secularism, which, as prescribed in the ancient Indian system, is non-interference, at least equal and at par treatment of all religions and facilitates them,” he said.
The speakers said that the concept of absolute sovereignty does not adhere to the tenet of ancient Indian philosophy, where there were several checks and balances on the powers of the ruler. C A Sundaram, a senior Supreme Court advocate, said that India showcased limited temporal sovereignty much before the West began to propagate it.
Some of the panellists of the conclave included former Supreme Court Justice M R Shah, Justice Mohit Shah, former Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Vikramjit Banerjee, additional solicitor general of India, and other eminent lawyers and scholars.
Justice Mohit Shah shared that absolute sovereignty is never in the interest of the country or the people.
The event ended with a joint declaration as the partners and panel converged on specific ideas as the outcome of deliberation. The declaration is titled the Gitarth Ganga Declaration. On Sunday, the elaboration would be on the theme of geopolitical issues.
