JU observes International Human Rights Day with an Invited Lecture

Jammu, December 10: The Department of Political Science, University of Jammu, marked International Human Rights Day by organising an invited lecture on Human Rights Scenario in India: Trends and Challenges at the Department’s Seminar Hall. The session brought together faculty members, research scholars, and students for a reflective discussion on the ethical, philosophical, and constitutional dimensions of human rights in contemporary India.

Addressing the gathering, the Resource Person, Prof. Mehraj-Uddin Mir, former Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir and currently Chair Professor, Motilal Nehru Chair, School of Legal Studies, K. R. Mangalam University, Gurugram, offered a thought-provoking engagement with the foundations of human rights. He opened his lecture with fundamental questions about creation, control, and human existence, inviting the audience to reflect on whether human beings consider themselves immortal and what these beliefs imply for the moral basis of rights.

Prof. Mir explained that every individual has four essential needs—physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual. He noted that safeguarding these needs forms the core of any meaningful human rights framework and argued that rights are inherent and inalienable, arising from the very purpose of human life rather than being granted by the state. Reflecting on ethical accountability, he remarked that when someone pushes, they are pushed back, drawing attention to the principle of reciprocity in social life. He underscored that all religions and teachings of saints and prophets emphasise compassion and coexistence, and that any interpretation promoting hatred must be revisited. Citing former Chief Justice of India M. N. Venkatachaliah, he noted that the twentieth century remains the bloodiest in history, warning that humanity’s future is uncertain without a committed adherence to human rights. Prof. Mir also drew a comparative perspective between the UN Charter of Human Rights and the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution, highlighting their shared values of dignity, equality, and justice. He concluded by stressing the importance of generating, transmitting, and applying knowledge, and the need to learn how to live, be, and know, reminding the audience that peace in one’s immediate surroundings is essential for realising human rights in everyday life.

Earlier, Prof. Baljit Singh Mann delivered a formal welcomeaddress. In his introductory remarks, he reflected on the evolving relevance of human rights discourse in India and briefly outlined the theme and objectives of the lecture in the context of emerging challenges to justice and human dignity.

Introducing the resource person, Dr. Shaveta Chowdhary highlighted Prof. Mir’s distinguished academic and administrative contributions, including his leadership as Vice-Chancellor and his current work in legal studies.

The event was further enriched by the presence of Prof. Suman Jamwal, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, who joined the proceedings. Along with Prof. Mann and other faculty members, she felicitated the resource person with a memento in appreciation of his insightful lecture.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Suneel Kumar, who expressed gratitude to the resource person, faculty, organisers, and participants for their engagement and support. The lecture was coordinated by Dr. Shaveta Chowdhary. Faculty members Dr. Ellora Puri, Dr. Mool Raj, and Mr. Vishabjeet Singh Chib were also present. A large number of research scholars and students attended the lecture and actively took part in the discussions, making the observance of International Human Rights Day both meaningful and enriching.