Latest news with #WhytheConstitutionMatters
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud makes case for Constitution in debut book
When Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud retired as the 50th Chief Justice of India in November 2024, many wondered what the next chapter in his public life might look like. With over 25 years on the bench, he delivered some of the most significant legal rulings in recent Indian history. Now, the former CJI has turned author. His debut book, Why the Constitution Matters (Penguin Random House), is slated to be released by August-end. The former CJI's landmark judgments have addressed issues as diverse as the right to privacy, the decriminalisation of homosexuality, and gender equality in the armed forces. However, this book is not a legal treatise. Instead, in his words, it is an 'an invocation to every citizen to engage in realising the true potential of the Constitution.' Written with the clarity of someone accustomed to explaining complex principles, it seeks to connect constitutional ideals with the lived experiences of everyday Indians. The book offers readers a nuanced understanding of the values enshrined in the Constitution. In Why the Constitution Matters, the former CJI draws on his judicial experiences, offering a glimpse into how constitutional reasoning shapes real-world outcomes. Publisher Milee Ashwarya, who heads the Adult Publishing Group at Penguin Random House India, says, 'The Constitution is not just a document; it is the very essence of our democracy, a beacon of hope, and a guiding light that ensures justice, equality, and liberty for all.' If the former CJI's time on the bench was about interpreting the Constitution for the nation, his time as an author may be about helping the nation interpret the Constitution for itself.
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Ex-CJI DY Chandrachud's upcoming book talks about understanding relevance of the Constitution
Penguin Random House has announced the forthcoming publication of 'Why the Constitution Matters' by Justice DY Chandrachud, who retired as the 50th Chief Justice of India in November 2024. The publisher said on 8 August that Justice Chandrachud's book, which will be published at the end of August 2025, explores the enduring relevance and transformative power of the Indian Constitution. 'Drawing on his vast legal experience and landmark judicial career, he presents a compelling case for why the Constitution is not just a legal document, but the very foundation of democracy, justice, and equality in India,' Penguin said, announcing the book which is basically a collection of speeches of the former CJI. From the right to dissent to free speech; from privacy to gender equality, disability and environmental justice, Justice Chandrachud's (retd) judgments are milestones in the constitutional project of social transformation, it said. In Why the Constitution Matters Justice DY Chandrachud delves into the profound significance of the Constitution in shaping the nation's identity and governance The book offers readers a nuanced understanding of the values enshrined in the Constitution, according to the publisher. 'With clarity and conviction, he makes complex legal concepts accessible to the audience of citizens, showing how constitutional principles impact our lives in practical, everyday ways,' it said. 'I'm delighted to debut as an author with Penguin Random House with 'Why the Constitution Matters'. The book attempts to weave together my experiences of law, justice and judging in a career of nearly twenty-five years on the bench. It is an invocation to every citizen to engage in realising the true potential of the Constitution.' Justice (Retd) Chandrachud is quoted as saying in the book announcement. Justice Chandrachud (Retd) served as the 50th Chief Justice of India from 9 November 2022 to 10 November 2024. He was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of India in May 2016. The Constitution is not just a document; it is the very essence of our democracy, a beacon of hope, and a guiding light that ensures justice, equality, and liberty for all. "The Constitution is not just a document; it is the very essence of our democracy, a beacon of hope, and a guiding light that ensures justice, equality, and liberty for all. I am delighted that Justice D Y Chandrachud in his forthcoming book addresses the core philosophy of our Constitution that is essential in preserving the fabric of our society. It is a must read for all citizens of the country." – Milee Ashwarya, Publisher and Senior VP, Adult Publishing Group, PRHI said. Key Takeaways The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the Constitution for every citizen. Justice Chandrachud draws on his extensive legal experience to make complex concepts accessible. Key themes include dissent, free speech, gender equality, and environmental justice.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ex-CJI DY Chandrachud talks about relevance of Constitution in debut book
The debut book of former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Why the Constitution Matters, will be published this month, the publisher Penguin Random House India announced. The published said that the book offers a rare blend of legal insight and accessible commentary, exploring how the Indian Constitution continues to shape the nation's democratic fabric. Justice Chandrachud, who was the 50th CJI, superannuated from office on November 8, 2024. The book offers readers a nuanced understanding of the values enshrined in the Constitution, a statement said. "With clarity and conviction, he makes complex legal concepts accessible to the audience of citizens, showing how constitutional principles impact our lives in practical, everyday ways," it added. Justice Chandrachud, the 50th CJI and one of the country's most respected jurists, draws on his decades-long judicial career to argue that the Constitution is more than a legal framework - it is the bedrock of justice, equality, and liberty in India. Through themes such as the right to dissent, freedom of speech, privacy, gender equality, disability rights, and environmental justice, he illustrates how constitutional principles play out in everyday life. 'My book attempts to weave together my experiences of law, justice, and judging in a career of nearly twenty-five years on the bench,' said Justice Chandrachud. 'It is an invocation to every citizen to engage in realizing the true potential of the Constitution.' Milee Ashwarya, Publisher and Senior VP at Penguin Random House India, called the work 'a must-read for all citizens,' adding, 'The Constitution is not just a document; it is the very essence of our democracy, a beacon of hope, and a guiding light that ensures justice, equality, and liberty for all.' Positioned as both a reflective memoir and a call to civic engagement, Why the Constitution Matters arrives at a time of heightened debate over constitutional values.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Ex-CJI Chandrachud talks about relevance of Constitution in debut book
New Delhi, Aug 8 (PTI) Former Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud has penned his debut book — a treatise on the Constitution, exploring its relevance and transformative power. Publishers Penguin Random House said in 'Why the Constitution Matters", to be published at the end of this month, Justice (retd) Chandrachud presents a 'compelling case for why the Constitution is not just a legal document, but the very foundation of democracy, justice and equality in India". The book offers readers a nuanced understanding of the values enshrined in the Constitution, a statement said. 'With clarity and conviction, he makes complex legal concepts accessible to the audience of citizens, showing how constitutional principles impact our lives in practical, everyday ways," it added. Justice Chandrachud, who was the 50th CJI, superannuated from office on November 8, 2024. He says his book 'attempts to weave together my experiences of law, justice and judging in a career of nearly 25 years on the bench. It is an invocation to every citizen to engage in realising the true potential of the Constitution". From the right to dissent to free speech, from privacy to gender equality, disability and environmental justice, he delivered several key judgments. According to Milee Ashwarya, publisher and senior vice president (Adult Publishing Group) at Penguin Random House India, Justice Chandrachud 'addresses the core philosophy of our Constitution that is essential in preserving the fabric of our society". PTI ZMN DIV DIV view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Reclaiming secular politics
The remarks by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar criticising the inclusion of the word 'secular' in the Preamble to the Constitution have led to controversy. 'Addition of these words in the Preamble during the Emergency signals betrayal of the mindset of the framers of the Constitution,' he said. Mr. Dhankar's remarks came in the wake of statements on similar lines by Dattatreya Hosabale, general secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Both have raised questions about the secular nature of the Constitution and most important, the larger structure of Indian politics. In the Constituent Assembly debates, the makers of the Constitution deliberated over varied models of secularism. While they disagreed over which one to subscribe to, the broad political commitment to secularism was unwavering. It was agreed that there shall be no state religion. While accepting that the state should not favour any religion, members like K.M. Munshi believed that India should develop its own secularism and the American 'non-establishment clause was inappropriate to Indian condition'. This unique conception adopts a flexible approach to the state's relations with religion. Though the word 'secular' was not mentioned in the Constitution, its chief architect, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, suggested that including it in the Preamble was superfluous. He found that the overarching characteristics of the Constitution indicated its secular foundation. The Constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion through Article 15. Article 16 mandates that public employment shall not be denied on the ground of religion. Article 25 promises the equal entitlement to 'freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion'. It also holds that the state is empowered to regulate 'economic, financial, political or other secular activity which may be associated with religious practice'. Yet any understanding of rights must not be isolated from political realities. However much strong a Constitution is, it must be held together by a political framework that is robust. Legal scholar Mark Tushnet offers a beautiful exposition of this idea when he says: 'The Constitution matters, you're likely to think, because it protects our fundamental rights. The answer I provide here is different: The Constitution matters because it provides a structure for our politics. It's politics, not 'the Constitution', that is the ultimate — and sometimes the proximate — source for whatever protection we have for our fundamental rights.' (Why the Constitution Matters, 2010). Multiple challenges Therefore, the point is even a secular constitution can be attacked by an unsecular political dispensation, having no regard for protection of our rights. This threat reveals itself not always by strictly breaching the law, but by operating outside the realm of the law. In the context of secularism, at least three contemporary challenges emerge. The first is selectively criminalising certain actions of the minority communities, Muslims in particular. Alleging illegal encroachment, since 2020, a large number of Muslim houses were demolished in various States. An Amnesty International report documents that 'at least 617 people, including men, women, children and older persons, were rendered homeless or deprived of their livelihoods' between April and June 2022 alone. The study was conducted in five States - Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh ruled by the Bhartiya Janata Party and Delhi by the Aam Aadmi Party at the time. (Bulldozer Injustice in India, February 7, 2024). By the time a belated judgment of the Supreme Court was pronounced in late 2024 (In Re: Directions in the matter of demolition of structures), the country had witnessed several years of illegal demolitions. People who have lost their houses still await compensation and the government officials who ordered and led the demolitions remain unaccountable. Attempts to seek compensation against the state are likely to be met with questions of proof and problems of delay. In these instances, even while statistics show the targeting of minority communities, matters get complicated by the difficulty in proving discrimination. The story of illegal demolitions reminded how conveniently can an aggressive executive enforce collective punishment, by escaping the rigour of the law. The second challenge is targeting of certain religions in state policy. The anti-conversion laws promulgated in various States showed that members of certain communities were penalised more than the others, though the laws appeared neutral. In a sample study conducted in Uttar Pradesh, out of the 'love jihad' cases examined, Muslims were accused in all except one. (Article 14, Amrashaa Singh, October 13, 2023). The Waqf Act is the latest in this series. It is said that the government did not conduct any effective consultation with the stakeholders. The amendment mandates the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf management. In comparison to Devaswom Boards having only Hindu members, this proposal has raised questions on the government's differential treatment of affairs of one religion. The law requires people to wait for five years of being a practising Muslim to contribute to Wakf. The third is the symbolic assault on secularism. These are reflected in scattered, but clear attempts to disturb the secular fabric. In Kerala, in two different events attended by the Governor, the image of 'Bharat Mata' with a saffron flag, a symbol associated with the RSS, was displayed. In fact, the Tricolour was adopted precisely by the Indian Republic to pronounce that the country's democracy assimilates different beliefs and religions. The push to merge the Hindu identity with that of the Indian identity is at odds with the plurality and diversity of faith that India cherishes and holds dear. Minimum core Whatever be the ideological disagreement between political parties, a minimum core of secular values is the bedrock of any democracy. Along with secularism, other ideas such as respect for oppositional rights, commitment to independence of courts and transparency in decision-making, and equality in sharing of resources are part of the minimum core of democracy. There is no doubt that India's Constitution is a historical culmination of the demand for self-governance and a charter of fundamental rights. But the Constitution can always be weakened by a politics that abandons this minimum core altogether. Dr. Ambedkar had the foresight to caution that 'However good a Constitution may be, it is sure to turn out bad because those who are called to work it happen to be a bad lot.' (The author is a lawyer at the Supreme Court of India; Views are personal)
