Post by Neha Raje

Had an incredible opportunity to engage in a truly thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Abhinav Chandrachud, a renowned lawyer and author, who carries a distinguished family legacy with both his grandfather and father having served as Chief Justices of India. The discussion, themed “Dissent and Dialogue: The Constitutional Promise of Free Speech,” offered profound insights into the legal and political relevance of free speech in today’s world. Dr. Chandrachud’s perspective on dissent and dialogue was both inspiring and intellectually enriching. Among the many aspects he explored, his comparison of sedition laws during the colonial era between English and Indian legal frameworks, and his critical take on their implications, stood out as particularly striking. Equally illuminating was his explanation of how India came to enact its first constitutional amendment, supported by three key instances that shaped this historic change.