Anahita Surya, Visiting Faculty at the National Law School of India University is bringing together Nikhil Dey, Rakshita Swamy, and Inayath Ali for a lecture on, “Legislating, Protecting, and Institutionalising People’s Law,” as per the details below:

Day & date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
Time: 2 – 4 PM
Venue: NAB-102, NLSIU

The speakers will speak about their experiences of building and sustaining people’s movements to legislate and subsequently protect people-centric laws such as MGNREGA, RTI and, more recently, laws related to gig workers. Drawing on grassroots social accountability movements, they will also discuss people-driven mechanisms for accountability and democratic engagement.

About the Speakers

Nikhil Dey is an Indian social activist and a Founding Member of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS). He has been at the forefront of several landmark campaigns, including the movements for the Right to Information (RTI) and the Right to Work (MGNREGA). Committed to transparency, accountability, and grassroots democracy, he continues to strengthen people’s participation in governance. In 2023, the U.S. State Department recognised him as an International Anti-Corruption Champion.

Rakshita Swamy is the Founder and Director of SAFAR. She, along with her colleagues and campaigns, works with Governments and Civil Society Organisations towards creating and institutionalising social accountability mechanisms. Her work is at the intersection of law, advocacy and research to help people claim their rights, improve the functioning of public institutions, and strengthen norms of democratic participatory governance. She also regularly teaches as a visiting faculty at NLSIU. She is associated with the Right to Information and Right to Work Campaigns.

Inayath Ali is the President of the Karnataka App-based Drivers Union and the Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers. He is a prominent voice for gig workers’ rights and has founded one of the earliest unions of platform-based gig workers in the State. He is also a member of the First Gig Workers Welfare Board of the country, set up under the Karnataka Gig Workers Act.