Soli Sorabjee
Spring 2010 Lecture
“Rule of Law: A Moral Imperative for South Asia and the World”
Featuring Soli J. Sorabjee, Former Attorney General for India
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Vidoe: Rule of Law: A Moral Imperative for South Asia and the World
Soli Sorabjee himself made a special visit to Brandeis in mid-April 2010 to help inaugurate the lecture series. He delivered a speech on “Rule of Law” to a packed crowd of students, faculty, and outside guests. In his speech, Mr. Sorabjee wrestled with different interpretations of Rule of Law, ultimately finding it a “dynamic concept” applicable to the challenges of democratic societies in a globalized century. Drawing upon famous Indian Supreme Court cases as well as his own cases, Mr. Sorabjee found the Rule of Law “runs like a golden thread in the Indian constitution.” Mr. Sorabjee called for Rule of Law to become a “secular religion” that might, by its very ideal, prevent abuses against individuals.
The lecture was also attended by two Brandeis classes, “International Law and Organizations,” taught by Prof. Guive Merfendereski, and “Gods and Nations: Identity in Global Relations,” taught by Prof. Chandler Rosenberger. A dynamic question-and answer-session followed the speech, with many current students from India getting a chance to ask their former attorney general about specific cases and issues.
The visit was part of a semester-long focus on India through the Brandeis-India Initiative. It followed a Presidential Trip to India by Jehuda Reinharz, where he met with Mr. Sorabjee and his family. The visit to Brandeis by the Sorabjee/Mody family was a fitting follow up. The April visit included a dinner at the home of President Reinharz, meetings with students, the lecture, and a faculty dinner. Pictured right are Prof. Harleen Singh (left), Helaine and Alvin Allen Assistant Professor of Literature and co-chair of the Brandeis-India Initiative; Soli Sorabjee; and Prof. Ulka Anjaria (right), Assistant Professor of English and Faculty Director of the Lecture Series.
Ulka Anjaria sits down with Soli J. Sorabjee to discuss the differences among historians over the rule of law — which some view as an absolute good but which others see as a tool in the hands of the shrewd and wealthy.