In a step towards reinforcing the commitment to protecting fundamental rights, Punjab Police on Friday organized a specialized workshop aimed at familiarizing senior officers with the nuances of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The Article, which safeguards the right to life and personal liberty, was discussed in depth, especially in the light of rulings by the Supreme Court of India.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr Balram Gupta, a legal luminary with an extensive 55-year career. Dr Gupta, who is the former Director of the National Judicial Academy (NJA), highlighted how the scope of Article 21 has evolved through landmark court rulings, notably from the 1951 case of ‘AK Gopalan vs State of Madras’ to the pivotal 2017 case of ‘Justice KS Puttaswamy (Retd.) and Another vs Union of India’. These landmark decisions have broadened the understanding and scope of personal liberties and rights under this provision, marking a crucial shift in how fundamental rights are protected in the country.
The session underscored the importance of the police’s role in safeguarding individual rights in line with constitutional mandates. Dr Gupta emphasized that the police force must act as protectors of these rights while maintaining law and order. “The protection of life and personal liberty is at the core of a just society. The police, in their constitutional capacity, must discharge their duties with utmost respect for individual rights,” Dr Gupta said, engaging in a productive exchange of ideas with the officers present.
Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, who also participated in the workshop, reaffirmed the significance of such initiatives. “We will continue organizing training programs to ensure our officers possess the requisite knowledge and skills to uphold the law fairly and impartially,” he said, emphasizing the importance of constant learning and awareness for police personnel.
The workshop also saw active participation from a range of senior officers, including Special DGP Human Resource Development Ishwar Singh, Special DGP Community Affairs Gurpreet Kaur Deo, and Special DGP Policy and Rules SK Asthana.