GUWAHATI: Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan has emphasised the importance of scientific temperament in strengthening democracy and the rule of law, stating that arbitrary power thrives on ignorance, fear and unexamined beliefs.
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Addressing the 12th convocation of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) in Ri-Bhoi district on Saturday, October 31, Bhuyan highlighted the role of education and scientific thinking in upholding democratic values. He also praised the university for emerging as one of the leading centres of learning in the Northeast.
"Scientific temperament lays the foundation for the rule of law," he said, adding that societies that accept claims without evidence become vulnerable to superstition and misinformation.
Bhuyan cautioned that a society that discourages questioning risks becoming vulnerable to authoritarianism, while one that treats traditions as beyond scrutiny may fail to reform unjust practices.
Referring to Article 51A of the Constitution, which calls upon citizens to develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform, he said universities have an important responsibility to nurture rational thinking and protect young minds from prejudice.
The Supreme Court judge also called for moving beyond divisions based on identity and embracing a shared sense of citizenship.
"Friends, for a more just and humane society, it is important that we should move away from such destructive binary of 'us' and 'they' and embrace the idea of oneness," he said.
Emphasising the constitutional significance of collective identity, Bhuyan pointed to the Preamble's opening words, "We, the People of India", stating that the Constitution recognises all citizens as equal members of the constitutional order, irrespective of their diverse identities.
A total of 1,469 students received degrees and diplomas at the convocation held at the university's central auditorium.
The graduating students included 42 PhD scholars, 584 postgraduate students, 798 undergraduates and 45 diploma holders.
