Justice Unplugged: Law plays a fundamental role in shaping a transforming society, says G.V. Selvam

Law plays a fundamental role in shaping a transforming society by establishing justice and order, adopting evolving norms, and driving progress through legal reforms, said G.V. Selvam, Vice President of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), during the inauguration of Justice Unplugged: Shaping the Future of Law, a law conclave organised by the VIT School of Law, VIT Chennai, in association with The Hindu, in Chennai on Saturday (March 22, 2025).

Earlier, delivering the welcome address, Suresh Nambath, Editor, The Hindu, urged some of the finest minds in India’s legal fraternity gathered at the conclave to reflect on the future of law and justice in a world undergoing rapid change.

“We are especially privileged to welcome two of the most eminent jurists of our time, our chief guest, Justice N.V. Ramana, former Chief Justice of India, and our special guest, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, one of his distinguished successors in the Supreme Court. Their presence today speaks not only to their unwavering commitment to justice and the rule of law, but also to their dedication to advancing and enriching legal education in India,” he said.

Mr. Nambath said C. Aryama Sundaram, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India, the guest of honour for the event, is a stalwart in the legal field and his insights have shaped jurisprudence and public discourse for decades.

As a publication rooted in the values of truth, fairness, and democratic accountability, The Hindu has long-championed rigorous public dialogue around law, justice, and social change, he added.

‘Engaging with urgent challenges’

‘Justice Unplugged’ offers a vital platform to engage with some of the most urgent challenges before the legal profession today — ranging from how technology is reshaping privacy and ethics, and the shifting role of law in society, to the misuse of due process by the executive, and the evolving landscape of legal education, Mr. Nambath said.

The conclave brings together senior advocates and scholars for conversations and will be as inspiring as they are thought-provoking. These are not debates for the sake of rhetoric, but meaningful dialogues aimed at sparking ideas and empowering a new generation of lawyers, policymakers, and academics to reimagine justice for a troubled present, a period of unresolved disputes and emerging conflicts, Mr. Nambath added.

He also commended the leadership of VIT School of Law, VIT Chennai, especially Mr. Selvam. “Without framing the right questions, we risk missing the answers, even when they are right before us. In keeping with India’s long argumentative tradition, let us shape conversations that move us closer to a truly just and egalitarian society,” he added.

‘Need lawyers too for nation to prosper’

In his opening remarks, Mr. Selvam, quoting a couplet from Thirukkural, said: “Tamil language has a great history. Two thousand years ago, Ellalan, a Chola King ruled our country. Once, a cow whose calf was killed by a chariot came to the palace and rang the bell of justice. Then the king found the chariot in which his son went on a tour had killed that calf. Immediately, he drove the chariot over his son, killing him. From that day, he was called Manu Neethi Cholan. There is a statue in the Madras High Court for him called Samaneethi Konda Cholan. That’s the history of Tamil Nadu. Students should know about our history.”

He said the legal conclave is of utmost relevance to contemporary society, which is progressive and dynamic. A dynamic society is crafted by legal scholars who are social engineers and the great nation is testament to the significant contribution made by the stalwarts of law, like our Constitution-maker, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

The Constitution of India is a living document, which upholds and believes in the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity that aim to establish a just society. “We must remember that for a nation to prosper, we not only need scientists, engineers, and doctors, but also great lawyers who changed the destiny of this nation. The contribution of our honourable judges and respective senior advocates have made society a better place to live. Today we have such eminent legal personalities who have made significant contributions in the field of law,” he said.

Speaking about Justice Ramana, Mr. Selvam said: “He is a man of humble background who started his career as a journalist and over time became the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India. During his tenure, he delivered several landmark judgments, one of them being the Anuradha Bhasin vs Union of India case, concerning the right of freedom of speech expression in cyberspace. His contribution has set new precedents which has set the pathway of the nation’s future.”

Calling Mr. Sundaram a huge believer in the freedom of speech expression, Mr. Selvam said: “In 1986, when there was no kind of consumer protection law available, he argued for his client in a medical malpractice case, and the client was awarded ₹17.38 lakh compensation, along with interest. This is only one example among the many major impacts he has had on the lives of his clients and society.”

AI privacy and ethics

He said the legal conclave features panel discussions on themes that are thoughtfully crafted to address some of the most pressing issues at the forefront of society and law. The intersection of law and technology, AI privacy and ethics is a crucial area of contemporary relevance. Integration of AI raises concerns about data protection, algorithmic bias, and surveillance, demanding that our regular frameworks and laws ensure accountability and transparency, while safeguarding the fundamental rights that balance innovation with individual liberties.

Business ethics plays a vital role in establishing a thriving economy and a just society by ensuring legal compliance, transparency, fairness and social responsibility in corporate decision-making to promote accountability, protect stakeholders, foster sustainable growth and public trust, he said.

Recognising these rapid changes occurring in our society, driven by technology and evolving social norms, it is important we prepare the next generation of legal professionals to effectively address these challenges by crafting futuristic policies like legal education, Mr. Selvam said.

These discussions were essential to ensure the legal systems remain relevant, accessible, and just in a dynamic world. “Recognising the importance of this integration, VIT founder, our Chancellor, Dr. G. Viswanathan, who is not only a pioneer in education, but also a lawyer, former Parliamentarian, and former Minister in the Tamil Nadu government, deeply understood the necessity of making legal education accessible to all. His vision laid the foundation for VIT’s expansion into legal education and ensured justice remains within the reach of everyone.”

Legal education for a better society

Since its inception in 2014, VIT School of Law actively focuses on its legal programmes, instilling in students the ethical obligation to provide free legal service to society. He said the alumni of the VIT School of Law have not just secured positions in top-tier firms, but are also passionately serving society and are committed legal practitioners, policy makers, and legal analysts, he said.

The conclave would be a testament to the commitment of legal education to create a just and equitable society through impactful community engagement and forward-thinking public policies and initiatives to address the evolving challenges posed by the technological advancements. “As we engage in meaningful discussions in the intersection of law, technology and justice, we reaffirm our commitment to making the legal system more transparent, accessible, inclusive and practice-orientated,” Mr. Selvam said.

He also appreciated The Hindu, as an institution that has long championed journalistic excellence and legal disclosure. “As an ardent reader of its editorial columns, I really appreciate the depth that The Hindu brings to the public discussions, offering a vital platform for law students to explore the world of legal journalism,” he added.