Sonipat,
29 July 2026: Calling upon the next generation of legal professionals to
embrace innovation, uphold constitutional values and lead with integrity in an
era of unprecedented global transformation, Dr. Abhishek M. Singhvi, Senior
Advocate, Supreme Court of India and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha),
delivered the Convocation Address as the Chief Guest at the 15th Convocation
Ceremony of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU).
The
convocation marked a significant milestone in JGU’s academic journey as 5,604
students graduated across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes.
Addressing
the graduating class, Dr. Singhvi congratulated the students on reaching a
defining milestone and reminded them that their achievements were part of a
much larger journey. “Each one of you has travelled a unique journey of
aspiration, sacrifice, perseverance and achievement. Today, your
accomplishments become part of a larger story—the story of an institution, a
profession, a nation, and indeed humanity’s enduring quest for justice,” he
said.
Describing every convocation as both a culmination and a beginning, Dr. Singhvi reflected on the role played by families, mentors and teachers in shaping every graduate’s journey. “Every convocation marks the completion of an academic journey, but the finest convocations remind us that they are, in truth, new beginnings. Behind every graduate stands a story of encouragement, sacrifice and unwavering faith. Long before success was certain, families invested their time, energy and hope. They celebrated achievements, overcame disappointments and quietly carried burdens that often went unseen.”
He
underscored that professional success must always be anchored in wisdom, ethics
and public service. “Knowledge alone will never be enough. Knowledge tells us
what is possible; wisdom reminds us what is desirable. Skills enable us to earn
a livelihood, but values determine whether that livelihood serves society.
Universities can impart knowledge, but character is shaped collectively through
experiences, institutions and the people who inspire us. Curiosity is the
engine of progress and humility is its compass.”
The
Founding Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University, Shri Naveen Jindal said,
“The Convocation is a day of great hope that each one of you will carry forward
the ideals of justice, constitutional values and public service that define the
noblest traditions of the legal profession. We are deeply privileged to be
joined by one of India's most distinguished constitutional lawyers,
parliamentarian and a public intellectual. Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi. For more
than four decades, Dr. Singhvi has stood at the forefront of India's
constitutional and legal discourse as one of the country's foremost senior
advocates. He has appeared in many of the most significant constitutional
cases, helping shape our constitutional jurisprudence through his scholarship,
advocacy, and unwavering commitment to the rule of law.”
Dr.
Abhishek M. Singhvi further praised JGU for creating an academic ecosystem that
champions research excellence, intellectual freedom and the fearless exchange
of ideas. “One of the most distinguished features of this university is its
unwavering commitment to research, something unfortunately lacking in many
parts of the Indian higher education system. JGU has one of the highest
research quotients in terms of scholarly publications and ensures that ideas
are transmitted from one generation to another. Equally important is the
university’s extraordinary commitment to diversity of thought, freedom of
speech and academic expression.” Highlighting JGU’s vibrant intellectual
culture, he observed that the university has become a national platform where
judges, diplomats, ministers, parliamentarians, scholars, activists and
policy-makers engage in meaningful dialogue. “Disagreement is not hostility.
Universities have a special responsibility to preserve the culture of debate.
Intellectual confidence is demonstrated not by avoiding different opinions but
by engaging with them thoughtfully and respectfully.”
Prof.
(Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, the Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University welcomed Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi
and said, “We are duly honoured by the distinguished
presence of India’s eminent jurist, senior Supreme Court advocate, a renowned
author and leading voice for jurisprudence and champion for the rule of law.
JGU’s journey began with the vision to
bring world-class education to India. What started in 2009 as an idea with a
single school has evolved into a 12-school multidisciplinary institution. As we
have grown stronger with over 16,000 students, we have also ensured a
consistent expansion of our academic community to bring quality education to
our students. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Singhvi as the Chief Guest to
confer the qualifying degrees on JGU”s graduating law students. ”
Reflecting
on the defining characteristics of great universities, Dr. Singhvi said
institutions must ultimately be judged by the ideas they cultivate and the
confidence they instil in their students. “Universities are built on minds and
values. Institutions become great because teachers inspire, administrators
enable and every member of the academic community contributes to a shared
vision. Rankings, infrastructure and placements certainly matter, but they
never tell the complete story. The true measure of a university lies in the
questions it encourages, the ideas it nurtures and the confidence with which it
prepares students to engage with a rapidly changing world.”
Paying
tribute to the late Shri O.P. Jindal, Dr. Singhvi hailed his legacy as one of
India’s great institution-builders and acknowledged the vision of Shri Naveen
Jindal, Founding Chancellor of JGU, for transforming that legacy into a
globally respected university. “Across history, societies have advanced not
only because of entrepreneurs, but because of visionaries who recognised that
the highest purpose of wealth is to create opportunities for others. Shri O.P.
Jindal belonged to that rare tradition of institution-builders who understood
that education is perhaps the greatest instrument of social transformation ever
created. The most enduring legacy of any great philanthropist is not the
buildings they leave behind, but the dreams they make possible. Every graduate
receiving a degree today is part of that extraordinary legacy. Philanthropy,
when practised with vision, is nation-building.”
Dr.
Singhvi also applauded JGU’s pioneering initiatives in preserving India’s
constitutional and judicial heritage through its museums and centres of
excellence. “Each time I visit this remarkable campus, I am struck by its
imagination and creativity. The Constitution Museum and the Chief Justices’
Museum are pioneering institutions that combine originality, technology and
scholarship to make India’s constitutional history accessible to future
generations.”
He
also recalled Shri Naveen Jindal’s landmark constitutional battle that secured
every Indian citizen’s right to fly the National Flag with dignity and pride.
“He was standing up for a constitutional principle—that love for one’s country
should find expression through the National Flag. His determination, clarity of
purpose and quiet persistence transformed an individual grievance into a
constitutional milestone.”
Emphasising
the indispensable role of universities in strengthening democracy, Dr. Singhvi
observed: “Universities perform their highest function when they become spaces
where ideas compete rather than identities collide. Democracies flourish when
arguments are stronger than echo chambers. As a constitutional lawyer, I have
always believed that disagreement is not democracy’s weakness. Courts function
through the adversarial process because opposing arguments are heard with equal
seriousness. Universities must fulfil that same mission by encouraging students
to question respectfully, disagree intelligently and change their minds when
persuaded by better evidence.”
Turning
to the graduating law students, Dr. Singhvi reflected on the profound
transformations reshaping the legal profession and urged them to become
architects of change. “You belong to a world where artificial intelligence is
reshaping professions, constitutional democracies are confronting new
challenges, climate change ignores national borders, digital technologies are
redefining privacy, liberty and accountability, and where law itself is being
asked questions, previous generations could scarcely have imagined. This is a
defining era. Your generation must therefore become innovators.”
He
concluded by encouraging graduates to uphold justice with courage, integrity
and compassion, reminding them that the future of the legal profession would
belong to those who combine intellectual excellence with ethical leadership,
constitutional commitment and an unwavering dedication to public service.