Sun Mar 01 01:20:54 UTC 2026: # ‘Justice Unplugged 2026’ Addresses Legal Access and Constitutional Interpretation in India
The Story
On February 28, 2026, The Hindu and VIT, Chennai, jointly hosted ‘Justice Unplugged 2026’ in New Delhi. The event brought together legal experts and practitioners to discuss pressing issues within the Indian legal system, including legal education, technology’s role, constitutional thinking, and improving access to justice. Prominent figures like Supreme Court Judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, and VIT Founder G. Viswanathan attended the inaugural session.
Discussions highlighted concerns about the influence of personal biases on constitutional interpretation and the importance of upholding constitutional guarantees against majoritarian sentiments. The persistent challenges in ensuring accessibility for hearing-impaired lawyers in courtrooms were also addressed, more than two years after initial progress.
Key Points
- ‘Justice Unplugged 2026’ was held in New Delhi on February 28, 2026.
- The event was a joint initiative by The Hindu and VIT, Chennai.
- Topics included legal education, technology in law, constitutional thinking, and legal access.
- S. Muralidhar emphasized the need for constitutional principles to influence personal behavior.
- Karuna Nundy cautioned against majoritarian sentiment overriding constitutional guarantees.
- Advocates Sanchita Ain and Sarah Sunny highlighted the inconsistent accessibility in courtrooms for hearing-impaired lawyers.
Key Takeaways
- The Indian legal system faces ongoing challenges in balancing constitutional principles with societal biases.
- Accessibility for lawyers with disabilities remains a significant hurdle despite previous advancements.
- ‘Justice Unplugged 2026’ serves as a platform for critical discussions on improving the Indian legal landscape.
First Piper 