PG Department of Law, Gauhati University, Guwahati – Assam is organising a Two days National Seminar on Understanding the Dynamics and Interface of Freedom of Speech and Expression under the Constitution of India on September 9 and 10.
About the Seminar
The freedom of speech and expression has been considered fundamental rights under article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India and Article 19(2) permits the State to impose ‘reasonable restrictions, in the interests of eight specified grounds.
Three of these grounds, viz. the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, and public order, suggest that the regulation of subversive or revolutionary speech is an important constitutional concern. Prior to India’s Independence, there were four exceptions to the right to free speech.
These were: Sedition (and hate speech), Obscenity, contempt of Court, and Defamation. These continued to be exceptions to the right to free speech after the Constitution was adopted and remained virtually unchanged. Most Constitutional experts say that the retention of archaic laws is one of the major threats to freedom of expression in contemporary India.
In pursuit of the changes to the right to free speech that exist today since the enactment of the Constitution, the PG Department of Law, Gauhati University wishes to organize a National Seminar on ‘Contemporary Concerns of Freedom of Speech and Expression in India’.
The Seminar will bring together people from a range of specialists and backgrounds for a cross-disciplinary discussion on free speech as a broad panoply of rights under the umbrella of Article 19 of the Constitution of India.
Eligibility
Papers are invited from the Academicians, Judicial officers, Researchers, Professionals, Practitioners, Students of Law, and Research Scholars on the Contemporary Concerns of Freedom of Speech and Expression in India on the broader sub-themes given above.
Sub Themes
- Right to Privacy and Freedom of Speech and Expression
- Sedition and Freedom of Speech and Expression
- Right to form an Association
- Misuse of Article 19
- Right to Information and Freedom of Speech
- Contempt of Court
- Freedom of Speech and Expression in the Digital Age
- Freedom of Speech and Expression in social media
- Parliamentary Privileges and Defamation
- Freedom of Press in the Digital Age
- Freedom of Speech and National Security
- Right to Free Speech in a Censored Democracy
- Limits on Freedom of Speech and Expression
These sub-themes are only suggestive and are not exhaustive. Papers that are not covered under the above-mentioned sub-themes yet hold relevance in the thrust area may also be considered.
Submission Guidelines
- Paper Title
- Author Particulars-Name in one line and affiliation with email and phone number
- Abstract within 200 words in italics with 3 to 5 keywords, in MS Word
- The full paper should not exceed 5000 words
- Reference should be in ILI Format
- Font- “Time New Roman”, Font size-“12pt”, Line space-“1.5”
How to Submit?
Please email your submissions at nationalseminarlaw2022@gmail.com
Registration Fee
- For Academicians/Lawyers/Professionals: INR 1200/-
- For Research Scholars: INR 800/-
Accommodation
Selected candidates will be given accommodation, food, and travel allowance (sleeper class train/bus on the production of tickets covering the shortest route).
Important Dates
- Conference Date: September 9 & 10, 2022
- Last Date for submission of Abstract: July 5, 2022
- Confirmation of Abstract: July 15, 2022
- Full paper submission: August 15, 2022
NB: The full paper submission is required by this deadline since it would be circulated among all participants to initiate more discussion and deliberations during the seminar panel.
Contact Information
For any details, please write to the Seminar Coordinator Dr. Pallavi Devi, Assistant Professor, PG Department of Law, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam at nationalseminarlaw2022@gmail.com or call +91 91010 29546
