New Delhi, October 22 (H.S.): Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday said that the ultimate objective of law was to ensure a just, safe and dignified life for every citizen.

He made the remarks while inaugurating a conference organised by the Law Commission of India at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The conference was titled “Cooperative Federalism and Legal Reforms: National and State Perspectives”.

Radhakrishnan said India’s greatest strength lay in its unity in diversity. He noted that the Constitution provided a framework for maintaining a balance between the powers of the Union, the responsibilities of the states and their legitimate autonomy. The true strength of Indian federalism, he said, lay in respecting diversity while working collectively towards shared national objectives.

The Vice-President observed that the vision of “Team India” under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for consultation, coordination and shared responsibility between the Centre and the states. Political differences, he emphasised, should never become an obstacle to collective efforts undertaken in the larger public interest.

Highlighting the significance of legal reforms in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, Radhakrishnan said development must be supported by robust laws, transparent institutions, efficient administration and access to justice for all.

He described the replacement of three colonial-era criminal laws and the repeal of more than 1,700 obsolete laws over the past 12 years as important milestones in the modernisation of India’s legal system. He urged state law commissions to identify outdated and irrelevant legislation and recommend suitable amendments or repeal, wherever necessary, to improve ease of living and promote efficient governance.

The Vice-President stressed that the Centre and the states must work together in areas where their constitutional responsibilities intersect, while safeguarding the legitimate autonomy of states to address their specific needs. He called for stronger coordination among the Law Commission of India, state law commissions and state law departments through inter-state consultations, the exchange of best practices and systematic reviews of outdated legislation.

Referring to the Sengol installed in Parliament, Radhakrishnan recalled the timeless teachings of Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar on good governance and adherence to the rule of law. He emphasised that lasting success and prosperity depended not merely on the exercise of power but on the practice of good governance.

The Vice-President expressed hope that the conference would yield concrete and actionable recommendations towards building a coherent, accountable and citizen-centric legal system.

Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Law Commission of India Chairperson Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, Law Commission Member-Secretary Dr Anju Rathi Rana, and Commission member Professor D. P. Verma were among the distinguished dignitaries present on the occasion.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar