Jabalpur, November 26, 2025 — Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), Jabalpur, in collaboration with UN Women India, successfully hosted a high-impact consultation on “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All.”
The event was organised by Vidyaranya – The Academic Outreach Committee (AOC) under the leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Praveen Tripathi, Registrar, and Dr. Gargi Chakrabarti, Faculty Advisor AOC & Controller of Examinations. The consultation brought together members of the judiciary, government representatives, cyber law experts, faculty and students to address the growing concern of technology-facilitated violence and the need to strengthen digital safety frameworks.
Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kumar Sinha opened the programme with an insightful welcome address, emphasizing the crucial responsibility of academic institutions in shaping conversations on digital safety and gender justice. He stated that universities must play a leading role in building responsible digital citizenship and empowering young individuals with awareness, legal understanding and resilience to combat cyber-enabled offences.
Delivering the Inaugural and Keynote Address, Hon’ble Justice Shri Vivek Agarwal, Judge, High Court of Madhya Pradesh, reflected on how rapidly evolving technology demands equally adaptive legal systems. He highlighted the judiciary’s responsibility in ensuring timely justice, victim-centric procedures and judicial sensitivity toward digital violence. Justice Agarwal encouraged students and youth to become active advocates for digital rights and contribute meaningfully to justice delivery.
A Special Address was presented by Mr. Jagat Bahadur Singh Annu, Mayor of Jabalpur, who discussed the rising complexity of cybercrimes, including online harassment, identity violations and impersonation. He acknowledged the challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with digital misconduct and urged young citizens to remain vigilant, report incidents without hesitation, and make informed decisions online. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to enhancing both online and offline safety for women and youth, emphasizing that community participation is indispensable in building secure digital environments.
Representing UN Women India, Ms. Joyatri Ray, State Lead & Policy Specialist, reiterated the organisation’s dedication to ensuring accessible, safe and gender-inclusive digital spaces. She emphasized that technology truly empowers women only when free from violence and discriminatory barriers. Ms. Ray called for unified action among academic institutions, community systems and enforcement agencies to strengthen protective mechanisms and digital governance.
The consultation also featured an engaging cyber-safety workshop led by Mr. Gokul Narayan, CEO of Asian School of Cyber Laws, supported by cybercrime specialists who demonstrated live methods to identify online threats, interpret cyber laws and secure digital presence. Participants actively interacted during the session, gaining practical insights into safeguarding online identities.
A detailed panel discussion on strengthening responses to digital violence followed, featuring Judge Namita Dwivedi, Assistant Director of MPSJA, Mr. Jitendra Singh, Additional SP, Jabalpur Cyber Cell, and Dr. Gargi Chakrabarti, Faculty In-charge AOC. The discussion revolved around preventive policies, reporting structures, support systems and the need for coordinated effort across institutions. The session was moderated by Mr. Utkarsh K. Mishra, Assistant Professor of Law, who guided the conversation with depth and clarity.
The event concluded with reflections from representatives of UN Women India and DNLU, a formal vote of thanks, and a networking session. Execution of the programme was made possible through the efforts of faculty advisors Dr. Gargi Chakrabarti and Dr. Animesh Jha, along with student coordinators Mr. Rakesh Bhadoria and Ms. Gungun Ajay Khursel, whose contribution ensured smooth coordination throughout the consultation.
The initiative marks an important step in advancing dialogue on cyber safety, gender-responsive digital ecosystems and the urgent need to combat digital violence, positioning DNLU and UN Women India as active contributors toward a safer online future for all.