IIT Professor delivers Expert Lecture on Human Rights and Human Duties at SPSU

Sir Padampat Singhania University, through its Directorate of Research and Publications, in collaboration with the Faculty of Design and Liberal Studies, organised a lecture on “Human Rights and Human Duties” on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. The session was delivered by Professor Munmun Jha, a distinguished scholar from the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Kanpur. The Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Prasun Chakrabarti and Registrar Prof. UR Singh felicitated the esteemed guest.

Prof. Jha delivered an insightful and engaging lecture that traced the philosophical, historical, and socio-political evolution of rights and duties across civilizations. He began with Oedipus, showing how fate, free will, and personal responsibility have shaped human thought, before discussing the Divine Right of Kings, which concentrated power in monarchs and restricted liberty. The Magna Carta (1215), he noted, marked a turning point in limiting monarchy and laying the foundation for constitutional democracy.

Turning to Indian traditions, Prof. Jha explained Hinduism and the Varna Ashrama Dharma, which outlined life stages and duties, emphasising dharma as harmony between rights and responsibilities. He then connected this to Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of satya and ahimsa, where duties were seen as the basis of true rights.

The lecture also reflected on the Second World War, which highlighted the need for peace and led to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). Prof. Jha further discussed the Indian Constitution’s Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles, which balance personal freedoms with social responsibility.

In conclusion, he stressed that rights and duties are inseparable: rights empower individuals, but only through duties can they sustain meaning. The lecture was both discerning and inspiring, reminding participants of the importance of responsible citizenship in today’s world.

The Pro Vice Chancellor extended his heartfelt gratitude to the honourable speaker on behalf of the university. The event was well-coordinated by Dr. Shibani Banerjee, Dr. Monika Anand and Dr. Tulika Chakrabarti.