Justice K R Gopivallabha iyengar memorial lecture series revived with focus on press freedom

Bengaluru: The Justice K R Gopivallabha Iyengar Memorial Lecture Series was revived with the keynote address by Justice Aravind Kumar, Judge of the Supreme Court, on the topic, "Liberty of The Press and Restraint - A Balancing Act."

Present at the event were also Pratima Murthy, Director of NIMHANS, senior advocates K G Raghavan and Uday Holla.

Justice Aravind Kumar's lecture highlighted the foundational importance of free speech in a democracy, tracing the freedom of the press as a derivative right from Article 19 (1)(a) of the Constitution.

He emphasised that while the press holds immense power to shape public perception and expose injustice, this power must be wielded with Dharma, a sense of responsibility to truth.

Drawing a reference from the Mahabharata, he said that "Power without restraint leads to ruin, wisdom without balance leads to arrogance." He called for liberty and restraint to walk hand-in-hand.

Senior Advocate Uday Holla echoed these sentiments, saying that the need for lawyers and judges to be time-conscious and precise.

He lamented the current state of social media, which often devolves into "gossip and nothing else," stressing the role of such lectures in encouraging critical thinking.

Holla recounted a humorous anecdote about a Pope's visit to New York to illustrate sensationalist journalism, urging the press to uphold its historical role, as it did during India's Emergency, in protecting democracy.

Pratima Murthy, speaking not only as the Director of NIMHANS but also as the granddaughter of the late Justice K R Gopivallabha Iyengar, shared personal reflections.

She revealed her pride in her grandfather's legacy, citing his integrity, fairness, and commitment to truth as enduring values.

Murthy also announced significant institutional developments for NIMHANS, including a new outpatient department and a proposed polytrauma center, expressing gratitude for the support that enables the institution to serve humanity better.