The Constitutional Law Society of National Law University Odisha, in collaboration with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat, is organising a national conference on Justice H.R. Khanna’s legacy on January 23–24, 2027. Abstracts must be submitted by November 7, 2026.
About the Organisers
National Law University Odisha (NLUO), Cuttack, was established under the Odisha State Legislature to advance legal education, research, training and knowledge development. The university aims to prepare students for careers in the legal profession, judicial services, legal research and related fields.
The Constitutional Law Society (CLS) of NLU Odisha provides a platform for academic engagement with constitutional law, including research, discussions, lectures and debates on constitutional principles and jurisprudence.
The conference is organised by CLS, NLU Odisha, in collaboration with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat.
About the Conference
The National Conference titled “50 Years of the Constitutional Dissent: Revisiting Justice H.R. Khanna’s Legacy” examines the significance of constitutional dissent in India, fifty years after one of the most consequential dissents in Indian constitutional history.
The conference will explore the relationship between individual liberty and State power, the development of constitutional doctrine, judicial decisions, democratic accountability, civil disobedience and dissent within constitutional institutions.
The discussions will also consider constitutional rights, the limits of judicial power, preventive detention, freedom of speech, assembly and association, and the role of dissent in sustaining democratic governance.
Conference Details
Conference Title: 50 Years of the Constitutional Dissent: Revisiting Justice H.R. Khanna’s Legacy
Organisers: Constitutional Law Society, National Law University Odisha, in collaboration with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat
Dates: January 23–24, 2027
Format: National Conference
Themes and Sub-Themes
The conference invites submissions on the following broad themes and related sub-themes.
Justice H.R. Khanna’s Dissent and Liberty: The Citizen, the State, and the Right to Dissent
Possible areas of discussion include:
- The ADM Jabalpur decision and the Emergency-era suspension of fundamental rights.
- Judicial independence and the role of dissenting opinions.
- The citizen’s right to protest, freedom of speech and assembly, and constitutional protection against State excesses.
- Article 19 rights in the context of dissent.
- Restrictions on speech and assembly, preventive detention, and the balance between public order and individual liberty.
Vindicated Dissents and the Evolution of Constitutional Doctrine
Possible areas of discussion include:
- The evolution of judicial dissents into binding legal precedents.
- Early judicial doubts in fundamental rights jurisprudence and their subsequent recognition.
- Dissent in landmark constitutional decisions.
- The role of dissent in shaping constitutional doctrine.
- Judicial dissent as a tool for democratic accountability and constitutional development.
Dissent in Constitutional Thought: Who Dissenters Are, Where Dissent Lives, and What It Means
Possible areas of discussion include:
- Dissent in constitution-making, including debates in the Constituent Assembly and minority voices on rights, federalism and emergency powers.
- Civil disobedience and constitutional order, including Gandhian satyagraha, the relationship between lawful protest and civil disobedience, and the limits of dissent.
- Dissent within the legislative and executive branches, including parliamentary opposition, institutional checks and balances.
- Freedom of thought, expression and association, and the constitutional protection of dissent.
- Theorising dissent through agonistic and deliberative democracy, the role of dissent in democratic legitimacy, and constitutional patriotism.
The themes and sub-themes are indicative rather than exhaustive. Participants may explore other topics within the broader scope of constitutional dissent.
Important Dates
- Call for Abstracts: October 24, 2026
- Abstract Submission Deadline: November 7, 2026
- Selection of Abstracts: November 20, 2026
- Registration Deadline: November 30, 2026
- Research Paper Submission Deadline: January 10, 2027
- Conference Dates: January 23–24, 2027
Abstract Submission Guidelines
As specified in the conference brochure, abstracts must meet the following requirements:
- Word Limit: 250–350 words.
- Submission Deadline: November 7, 2026, by 11:59 PM.
- Content: The abstract must contain the paper’s title, key research questions, relevant keywords and a short abstract highlighting the structure and essence of the paper.
- Format: Submit the abstract in
.docor.docxformat through the Google Form specified by the organisers.
Style guidelines:
- Font: Times New Roman
- Font Size: 12
- Line Spacing: 1.5
- Alignment: Justified
Research Paper Submission Guidelines
Authors whose abstracts are accepted must submit their full research papers in accordance with the following requirements:
- Word Limit: 4,000–8,000 words, including footnotes.
- Citation Style: OSCOLA, following the standards specified in the conference brochure.
- Format: Submit the paper in
.docor.docxformat through the Google Form specified by the organisers. - Deadline: January 10, 2027, by 11:59 PM.
- Originality: Submissions must be original, unpublished and not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
- Plagiarism: All submissions must comply with the NLUO Journal Policy on plagiarism and AI-assisted technologies.
- Title Page: The paper must include the participant’s name, title of the paper, designation and institutional affiliation.
Formatting requirements:
Main text
- Font: Times New Roman
- Font Size: 12
- Line Spacing: 1.5
- Alignment: Justified
Footnotes
- Font: Times New Roman
- Font Size: 10
- Line Spacing: 1.0
- Alignment: Justified
Registration Details
The conference brochure provides separate registration fee categories for presenters and attendees.
Registration Fees for Presenters
| Category | Fee per Person |
|---|---|
| Academicians and Practitioners | ₹1,000 |
| Research Scholars and Students | ₹500 |
| Students of NLUO and DHRANLU | ₹750 |
The presenter registration fee covers participation for the duration of the conference. The brochure states that participants must complete registration after their abstracts are accepted and upload the payment receipt through the Google Form.
Registration Fees for Attendees
| Category | Fee per Person |
|---|---|
| Academicians and Practitioners | ₹500 |
| Attendees from NLUO and DHRANLU | ₹250 |
Attendees seeking to participate without presenting a paper may register under the applicable category. The brochure notes that the fee covers participation in the conference and that participants attending offline must arrange their own accommodation.
How to Register
According to the conference brochure, registration is to be completed through the designated Google Form. Participants are required to provide the requested details, make the applicable payment and upload the payment receipt.
Contact Details
For queries and further information regarding the conference, the brochure lists the following contacts:
Faculty Coordinators
- Dr. Rishika Khare, Assistant Professor, NLUO
- Ms. Athena Solomon K., Assistant Professor, NLUO
Student Coordinators
- Astha Suman
- Prathiksha Govda
- Swayam Sahoo
- Shruti Jain
- Mohit Jain
The contact details and email addresses are provided in the conference brochure.
Application Procedure
Interested researchers, academicians, practitioners and students should prepare an abstract of 250–350 words on a topic related to constitutional dissent and submit it through the Google Form specified by the organisers by November 7, 2026.
Authors whose abstracts are accepted must submit their full research papers by January 10, 2027, and complete registration by November 30, 2026, as specified in the conference timeline.
Applicants should consult the official conference brochure for the Google Form link, payment instructions and complete submission requirements.
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