NLSIU Announces the Establishment of the Justice Ahmadi Initiative on Rule of Law, Democracy and Social Justice
December 26, 2024
The National Law School of India University, Bengaluru (NLSIU), and the Ahmadi Foundation announce the establishment of the Justice Ahmadi Initiative on Rule of Law, Democracy and Social Justice (The Justice Ahmadi Initiative) in honour of, and to preserve and promote the legacy of Chief Justice Aziz Mushabber Ahmadi.
Chief Justice Ahmadi was Visitor (now termed as Chancellor) of NLSIU during his term as Chief Justice of India between March 1995-March 1997. The Ahmadi Committee Report on Legal Education, 1994 is considered a landmark in legal educational reform in India, and played a vital role in enhancing the prestige of the ‘NLS model’ at an early stage of the institutional evolution of NLSIU. The Justice Ahmadi Initiative at NLSIU will help revive this long-standing connection and enable it to be expanded in new directions.
NLSIU and the Ahmadi Foundation have entered into a MoU to set up the Justice Ahmadi Initiative. The MoU was signed by Justice Ahmadi’s granddaughter, Ms. Insiyah Vahanvaty, on behalf of the Ahmadi Foundation and Prof. Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Vice Chancellor, NLSIU on behalf of the University. The MoU was exchanged, and announced on the occasion of the Inaugural Lecture of the Ahmadi Foundation in New Delhi on December 5, 2024. Prof. Arun Thiruvengadam attended the event on behalf of NLSIU, and exchanged the MoU with Ms. Insiyah Vahanvaty, whose book “The Fearless Judge,” a biography of Justice Ahmadi was also launched during the event.
About the Initiative
The Initiative will work to advance the ideas that Justice Ahmadi championed throughout his distinguished career, including but not restricted to, human rights, education, inclusion and protection of vulnerable communities, judicial independence, alternate dispute resolution mechanisms, and the strengthening of democratic institutions.
NLSIU and the Ahmadi Foundation will initially focus on jointly organizing an annual distinguished lecture series. The University and the Foundation have resolved to work together to eventually establish an endowed Chair in the name of Justice Ahmadi, at which point the chair will subsume the Initiative.
Insiyah Vahanvaty, Trustee, Ahmadi Foundation
“The Justice Ahmadi Initiative on Rule of Law, Democracy, and Social Justice represents not just a tribute to the legacy of Justice Aziz Mushabber Ahmadi, but a commitment to continue the work he so passionately championed throughout his life. By advancing the values of human rights, equality, judicial independence, and democratic integrity, we hope to inspire a new generation of legal minds and leaders who will carry forward his vision of a just society where the law is a tool for equality and empowerment – a lasting homage to his legacy.”
Mrinal Satish, Dean (Research), NLSIU
“NLSIU will work with the Ahmadi Foundation in promoting values that Chief Justice Ahmadi advanced through his life, and his work. These include human rights, judicial independence, inclusion and protection of vulnerable communities, and strengthening of democratic institutions. NLSIU has been committed to these values, which reflects in the work of its faculty, research centres, and Chairs. We look forward to organizing the Distinguished Lecture series in collaboration with the Ahmadi Foundation, bringing speakers of repute to discuss and debate issues of contemporary significance.”