New Delhi: The Rule of Law Conclave organized by Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR) at Jawar Bhawan drew urgent attention to threats facing India’s constitutional framework. Former Chief Justice of Patna High Court, Justice Iqbal Ansari, told the gathering that “a government is not the nation” and warned that surrendering independence to authoritarian impulses undermines democracy itself.
The conclave featured lawyers, academics, and activists who examined misuse of laws, weakening judicial credibility, and erosion of democratic rights. IMCR Chairman Mohammad Adeeb stressed that the body was formed not only for Muslims but to protect all marginalized groups. He urged lawyers to file FIRs against hate speech and warned that the secular fabric, once damaged, could take generations to repair.
Former Union Minister Salman Khurshid spoke on the principle of fairness in law, stating that bail must be the rule and jail the exception. He argued that years lost in prolonged pre-trial detention under laws like CAA and NRC cannot be compensated. On the hijab issue, he said only religious scholars could determine essential practices.
Delhi University professor Apoorvanand emphasized that questioning laws is a democratic right, not a crime. He said opposition to legislations like CAA has been criminalized, with activists jailed for years without trial. He reminded that Muslims have consistently relied on constitutional remedies, citing examples such as Zakia Jafri’s legal fight and families of lynching victims seeking justice.
Justice Ansari criticized courts for privileging popularity over justice and cited cases like activist Umar Khalid’s detention under UAPA. He said the judiciary’s duty is to protect citizens, not governments.
Supreme Court advocate Fuzail Ayyubi highlighted IMCR’s legal challenges, including against selective demolitions and closure of minority education foundations. The conclave ended with Maulana Fazlur Mujdadi urging judges to emulate early Islamic traditions of accountability.
The event concluded with a strong call for a fearless judiciary and united citizenry to safeguard India’s constitutional values.
