India High Commission statement condemns disruption at CJI Surya Kant London lecture

The High Commission of India in London on Friday criticised an attempted disruption during a UK lecture by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The incident took place at an event at Birkbeck, University of London, during Justice Kant’s ongoing six-day visit to the UK. Videos later circulated online showing a tense exchange with a member of the audience.

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Justice Kant had delivered a talk titled Artificial Intelligence and International Law on Thursday. The session included audience interaction after the lecture. The programme examined how artificial intelligence links with legal systems and international governance. It also looked at possible benefits and risks for justice and future global regulation.

Indian High Commission statement on Surya Kant event disruption

In a statement released on social media, the High Commission said discussion after the lecture was active. It added that "Thereafter a certain individual tried to disrupt the event\". The statement said the conduct was inappropriate in a public forum. It stressed that debate should remain respectful even when views differ.

The statement said, \"Such indecorous audience behaviour is unacceptable and inconsistent with respectful engagement that should govern public discourse.\" It added, \"Differences of opinion are a natural part of a democratic society. However, they must be expressed in a manner that is civil and respectful,\" according to the High Commission.

Surya Kant lecture on artificial intelligence and international law

The online clips showed a sharp exchange during an attempted question. The question referred to growing hostility to dissent within India. The moderator stopped it, saying it did not relate to AI and international law. The interruption and the response became the focus of the videos shared online.

During the lecture, Justice Kant spoke about how tools can be shaped by rules and values. \"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.

Justice Kant also outlined what law should do when technology advances quickly. \"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.

Surya Kant UK tour and Indian Council of Arbitrations ICA conference

Justice Kant is expected to speak further on technology and law at other events during the UK tour. On Friday, Justice Kant delivered the inaugural address at the Indian Council of Arbitrations ICA international conference. The topic was Alternative Dispute Resolution ADR as a Catalyst for Strengthening India-UK Economic Partnership.

At the conference, Justice Kant called for joint work between the two sides. \"What is needed now is not comparison, but co-creation,\" he said. The UK visit continues with more engagements planned. The High Commission statement remained focused on maintaining order and respectful conduct at public events.

With inputs from PTI