Constitution knowledge finds attention at students’ event

Dimapur, Feb. 19 (EMN): A seminar dubbed the ‘know your constitution’ to disseminate information about the Constitution of India was conducted by the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) in collaboration with Little Flower Higher Secondary School, in Kohima on February 19. The NSLSA issued a press release to the media on Tuesday informing about the programme.

N Kotiswar Singh, judge of the Gauhati High Court, and executive chairman of the NSLSA talked to the students about the constitution.
Singh highlighted the importance of law, and said that the law was of two types: written laws and unwritten laws.

According to the updates, unwritten laws are laws ‘which can be understandable to oneself.’ The press release quoted Singh’s address to the gathering: “Law is like a shadow and air which cannot be realized, but stays wherever we go and is like an air which follows everywhere. Law has to be in uniformity and that there has to be certain norms and procedures. Law is like a pyramid and all laws in India are governed accordingly to hierarchy of Law in India. It is the supreme law of the land and all the laws in India must be in conformity to the Indian constitution. If not then it is termed as illegal or unconstitutional.”

Further, Kotiswar Singh pointed out the original framers of the Constitution of India, the Constituent Assembly and the Drafting Committee. He highlighted the Preamble, the ‘very trinity of the Constitution of India,’ which reads in Article 14, 19 and 21, the press release stated.

The judge was said to have told the gathering that the Right to Equality ‘shall be treated equally to every citizen of the country (sic),’ according to the press release. Article 19 provides for Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression, to assemble peacefully and without arms, and to move freely throughout the Indian territory, the judge told the students.

Further, he said that Article 21 has provisions for protection of life and personal liberty.
The updates stated: ‘The Fundamental Rights from Article 14 to 18 are the basic structure of the constitution and the Rule of Law. These

Fundamental Rights contained in part-3 of the constitution has all the rights and freedom guaranteed to each and every individual of the citizens of this country. It promises an individual the provisions to secure freedom in the aspects of religion, cultural and educational privileges; it promotes delivering justice to all on basis of equal opportunity.’

Further, the students were told that a citizen is also given the absolute right to enjoy the provisions of Constitutional Remedies, which means citizens can seek solution and resolution, and that they have every right to go before a court which safeguards citizens’ right at all cost.

Also, Kotiswar Singh explained the hierarchy of the Indian courts, appointment of judges in the Indian judiciary system and the role of advocates and lawyers in India.

‘He pointed out that the Constitution of India plays very important role in every aspect of our society and encouraged the students to remain open to learning the supreme law of the land,’ the press release stated.

As part of the programme, a quiz competition was also held, the press release mentioned. The winners of the competition were awarded with prizes and gift hampers by Singh, it added.