1. Introduction
St. Joseph’s College of Law, Bengaluru successfully organized an International Conference on the theme “Freedom of Speech & Expression: Balancing Liberty, Dissent & Public Order in Contemporary India” on 24th April 2026.

The conference aimed to create a platform for critical engagement with evolving dimensions of free speech, constitutional rights, digital regulation, and public order in contemporary India and beyond. It brought together a diverse group of participants to deliberate on pressing socio-legal issues.

2. Participation and Representation
The conference witnessed participation from over 110 participants representing more than 45 institutions across India. The event reflected a strong interdisciplinary engagement, with contributions from students, academicians, researchers, and legal professionals.

3. Inaugural Session
The conference commenced with a formal inaugural ceremony, including the traditional watering of the plant.

The Keynote Address was delivered by Mr. Nikhil Dey, noted social activist and member of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) and NCPRI. His address highlighted:
● The importance of transparency and accountability in governance
● The role of grassroot democratic movements
● The continued relevance of the Right to Information and Right to Work movements

Key highlights of the inaugural session included:
● Launch of the E-Portal
● Release of an ISBN publication on Gender Justice

4. Technical Sessions
A major component of the conference was the seven parallel technical sessions conducted between 10:15 AM and 1:15 PM, where participants presented original research papers.

Each session was chaired by distinguished academicians and experts:
Session Chairs
● Session 1: Dr. Gurudev Sahil
● Session 2: Dr. Rachana Choudhari
● Session 3: Dr. Shyamtanu Pal
● Session 4: Dr. Ali Faran Gulrez
● Session 5: Dr. Deepti Susan Thomas
● Session 6: Dr. Apoorva Mishra
● Session 7: Mr. Ananyo Mitra

Profile Highlights of Session Chairs
● Dr. Gurudev Sahil – Associate Professor, School of Law, Dayananda Sagar University, Bengaluru; specializes in constitutional law, AI, and data protection.
● Dr. Rachana Choudhari – Associate Professor, Alliance University; expertise in Property Law, Family Law, and Women & Law with extensive teaching and research experience.
● Dr. Shyamtanu Pal – Assistant Professor, Pondicherry University; over 15 years of experience with international academic exposure and policy engagement.
● Dr. Ali Faran Gulrez – Assistant Professor, Manipal Law School, MAHE Bengaluru; specializes in environmental law, climate change, and human rights.
● Dr. Deepti Susan Thomas – Assistant Professor, Christ Academy Institute of Law; expertise in technology law, e-commerce, and medical law.
● Dr. Apoorva Mishra – Assistant Professor, Alliance University; research interests include environmental law, corporate law, and AI regulation.
● Mr. Ananyo Mitra – Assistant Professor, Manipal Law School; specializes in public international law, environmental law, and jurisprudence.

Each session featured rigorous academic discussions on themes such as:
● Constitutional limits on free speech
● Digital censorship and algorithmic governance
● Hate speech and media regulation
● Impact of new criminal laws (BNS, BNSS, BSS)
● Surveillance, anonymity, and AI-driven content moderation
The sessions were highly interactive, with chairs providing constructive feedback, critical insights, and scholarly direction to presenters.

5. Valedictory Session
The conference concluded with the valedictory ceremony.
The Valedictory Address was delivered by Dr. (Mrs.) Bhavna Mahadew, Associate Professor, University of Technology, Mauritius. She emphasized:
● The global dimensions of freedom of expression
● Intersections with international economic and financial law
● The importance of robust legal research methodologies

6. Awards and Recognition
The conference recognized outstanding academic contributions through the Best Paper Awards:
● Best Paper Award: Mr. Rohan R (SJCL Presenter)
● Best Paper Award: Mr. Varun V and Mr. R. Mudit Jain (Non-SJCL Presenter)
The awardees were felicitated during the valedictory ceremony.

7. Conclusion
The International Conference on “Freedom of Speech & Expression” was a significant academic success. It provided a meaningful platform for engaging with contemporary constitutional challenges and encouraged scholarly dialogue on balancing liberty, dissent, and public order.

The conference reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, research, and socially relevant legal discourse.