Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant drew heavy flak over an alleged crackdown on dissent in India following his lecture at Birkbeck, University of London.
The incident comes when CJI was addressing an audience on the topic “ArtificialIntelligence and International Law,” at Birkbeck, University of London. The video of the incident which went viral on Instagram shows a student questioning Kant about his controversial “cockroach” comment associated with unemployed youth.
However, the moderator did not permit the question to be raised, “With all due respect, I would not be able to take up that question since the topic concerns artificial intelligence and international law,” the moderator said.
“We now hear from a number of legal observers within the country as well as internationally that there is a great deal of concern about growing hostility to dissent within India. And it does seem that this hostility is somewhat reflected in His Lordship’s speech, and it is very well publicised,” one of the attendees said.
Following this the High Commission of India in London issued a statement which condemned the act.
Addressing a lecture on “Artificial Intelligence and International Law” at Birkbeck, University of London, on Thursday, Kant discussed the implications of emerging AI technologies for legal frameworks and global governance. The lecture concluded with an audience interaction.
The event examined how AI is reshaping legal institutions and international regulatory structures, while raising questions about accountability, ethics, and the future of justice.
“Technology itself is neither inherently benevolent nor inherently harmful. Its impact depends upon the legal, political, and ethical frameworks within which societies choose to deploy it,” Justice Kant said during his address.
“The responsibility of law, therefore, is neither to resist technological progress nor to surrender unquestioningly before it. Its responsibility is to ensure that technological power remains accountable to constitutional values, democratic legitimacy, and human dignity,” he said.
“A lively discussion followed his address. Thereafter a certain individual tried to disrupt the event,” reads the Indian High Commission statement, released on social media.
“Such indecorous audience behaviour is unacceptable and inconsistent with respectful engagement that should govern public discourse.
“Differences of opinion are a natural part of a democratic society. However, they must be expressed in a manner that is civil and respectful,” it adds.
Kant on Friday, delivered the inaugural address at the Indian Council of Arbitration’s (ICA) international conference on the topic ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a Catalyst for Strengthening India-UK Economic Partnership.
