Kapil Sibal calls for purposive interpretation of Constitution at law conclave 

Kapil Sibal advocates for a purposive interpretation of the Constitution to achieve justice and address societal needs at a law conclave.

The true dispensation of justice lies in a purposive interpretation of the Constitution, attuned to the needs of society, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said at Justice Unplugged: Shaping the Future of Law, a conclave organised by the VIT School of Law, VIT Chennai, in association with The Hindu, in Delhi on Saturday (February 28, 2026). He was in conversation with N. Ram, Director, The Hindu Group of Publications.

Justice Unplugged 2026: Follow LIVE updates on February 28, 2026

“Constitutional morality ultimately is justice without fear or favour… True justice lies in the ability to rise above factional debates and interpret the Constitution in a manner that serves the larger community,” he said.

Earlier, delivering the welcome address, Suresh Nambath, Editor of The Hindu, said that societies — from ancient civilisations to modern nation-states — are anchored in the rule of law. In India, he said, the Constitution remains supreme and functions as a bulwark against social and structural inequalities.

“In India, the Constitution, and not Parliament, is supreme... the Constitution represents the voice of the people across generations”, he said.

At the inaugural session of the conclave, G. Vishwanathan, Founder and Chancellor of the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), described law as a vital instrument for the protection of the marginalised and said that lawyers render an essential service to society. He, however, underlined the pressing need for institutional reforms to address the mounting judicial backlog.