New Delhi, June 1: The Ghalib Institute hosted the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Memorial Lecture on the topic ‘Managing Diversity Under the Indian Constitution’. The event was presided over by former Supreme Court Judge Justice Aftab Alam. In his presidential address, Justice Alam remarked that the former President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, dedicated his political life to the unity of the nation. For him, unity was not just a slogan but the only path to the country’s progress. The choice of the lecture topic reflects the constitutional framers’ deep appreciation for the importance and beauty of diversity.
Delivering the lecture, Professor Faizan Mustafa, Vice-Chancellor of Chanakya National Law University, argued that people mistakenly perceive unity and diversity as opposites, whereas unity is impossible without diversity. He highlighted that the Preamble of the Indian Constitution guarantees everyone the right to maintain their identity and individuality. Our Constitution does not aim to merge everyone into one; rather, it can be likened to a salad bowl where each ingredient retains its identity while contributing to the whole.
In his welcome address, Ghalib Institute Secretary Professor Sadiqur Rahman Kidwai stated that the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Memorial Lecture is a significant event for the institute. The selection of the topic and the speaker is done with great consideration. He expressed his pleasure at Professor Faizan Mustafa’s acceptance of the invitation, noting that Mustafa’s insights often shed light on overlooked aspects.
Dr. Idrees Ahmed, Director of the Ghalib Institute, mentioned that the institute organizes two memorial lectures annually: the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Memorial Lecture and the Begum Abida Ahmed Memorial Lecture. These lectures focus on topics of substantial importance that are not commonly discussed. He added that the current lecture and the speaker were of exceptional significance and that Professor Mustafa’s discussion had greatly enriched their knowledge. When the lecture is published, its benefits will extend even further.
The event saw a large turnout of students and notable personalities from the fields of knowledge and culture.
