Jainacharya Yugbhushansuri: Has Article 31B been tested on the touchstone of Basic Structure Doctrine
Legal Precursor 2.0 Concludes with Debate on Article 31B, Basic Structure and the Nature of Human Rights
Mumbai, 1st November 2025: The first day of the second edition of Legal Precursor 2.0, organised by Jyot, concluded successfully, bringing together eminent jurists, constitutional law experts, and legal practitioners from across India at Police Ground, Ghatkopar. The event was held under the aegis of His Holiness, Spiritual Sovereign Jainacharya Yugbhushansuri, the 79th successor of Tirthankar Mahavir Swami.
The forum revisited critical constitutional questions, focusing on the nature of citizens rights, the limits of the State, and the Basic Structure Doctrine. Speaking on the insertion of Article 31B in the Constitution by the then unelected Parliament, His Holiness stated, “Article 31B has never been tested on the touchstone of the Basic Structure Doctrine. Astonishingly, Article 31B is causing the gravest injustice, which has never been faced by any community in the world. In regard to the Jains, this draconian Article stands upright, protecting the acquisition of their topmost place of worship, Parasnath Hills.”
An announcement was also made for the upcoming flagship event, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Ki Oar 4.0” Conclave, scheduled to take place from January 16th to 22nd, 2026, in Mumbai. The initiative is being organised in collaboration with several leading law institutions, including Government Law College, Maharashtra National Law University, Siddharth Law College, and Jitendra Chauhan College of Law, among others. Nalanda University, Vivekananda International Foundation, India Foundation, and LawBeat are also partners in this endeavour.
The gathering witnessed enthusiastic participation from students of reputed law colleges, practising lawyers, and advocates. Concluding his remarks, His Holiness questioned whether one could ever imagine the acquisition of a place of worship whose sanctity, if not more, is at least akin to that of Ayodhya for Hindus, Bodhgaya for Buddhists, the Golden Temple for Sikhs, Mecca for Muslims, and the Vatican for Catholics.
The session was also graced by Justice G.R. Swaminathan (Madras High Court), Dama Seshadri Naidu (Former Judge, High Court & Senior Advocate), N. Venkataraman (Additional Solicitor General of India), Birendra Saraf (Advocate General of Maharashtra), Arvind Kamath (Additional Solicitor General of India), Balbir Singh (Former Additional Solicitor General of India), and P.K. Malhotra (Former Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice).
The event culminated with the signing of the Mohvijay Declaration by the panellists, affirming the role of ancient Indian scriptures in enriching our understanding of the codification of constitutional law. The declaration proposes integrating this knowledge into India’s educational framework to foster a deeper appreciation of the nation’s indigenous legal and constitutional heritage.
On the sidelines of the event, a research-based exhibition on contemporary legal and political issues was showcased. Conceived under the visionary guidance of Mohjitvijayji, the 78th successor of Tirthankar Mahavir Swami, the exhibition received an overwhelming response and deeply resonated with scholars, jurists, and attendees alike.
The second session of Legal Precursor 2.0 is scheduled to be convened tomorrow, featuring an eminent panel that includes Senior Advocate Percival Billimoria, Advocate and Curator of the Bombay High Court Museum Rajan Jayakar, and Advocate Indrajit Sinha.