Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
Greater Noida: Nyaya (justice) has replaced ‘danda’ (punishment) as the primary focus in recent legal amendments compared to the colonial-era laws that continued even after Independence, said Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal at the opening ceremony of Bennett University’s international conference, Beyond Gender: Navigating the Intersectionality of Justice, on Thursday.
Referring to the historical backdrop of certain doctrines, acts and laws drafted during the British rule, such as IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act, the minister of state (independent charge) for law and justice said the transition to the ancient Indian jurisprudence was evident from the nomenclature of the laws such as Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.
Meghwal emphasised that the concept of intersectionality was deeply embedded in Indian philosophy. Citing the story of Maina Bai from Rajasthan, he highlighted the need to perceive identity beyond gender, viewing individuals through the lens of shared humanity. Through a ‘bhajan’, he called for compassion for those who are often rendered invisible due to disabilities or other marginalisation.
Invoking the legacy of Dr BR Ambedkar, particularly in the context of International Labour Day, the minister acknowledged his advocacy for reduced working hours and the introduction of maternity leave as a pivotal step towards inclusive labour rights.
The conference was held in collaboration with University of Reading and University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, as international knowledge partners.
The inaugural session also featured Seema Kaul Singh, director of Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies, New Delhi as the guest of honour, and professor Paul McConnell of Global Legal Education at University of Birmingham, an expert on legal pedagogy and human rights education. The other guests included Rajiv Mani, secretary of the legislative department at the law ministry, and Ankur Barua, director (HR) of Oil India Ltd.
The one-day conference, organised by Centre for Family Law Studies and Research under School of Law, featured research papers in eight parallel thematic sessions, ranging from gender justice and family law to constitutional morality, inclusive governance and rights-based advocacy.
The event brought together a diverse group of jurists, academics, practitioners, policymakers and civil society personalities to examine the intersections of identity, rights and justice in contemporary society.
Mayank Rawat
