Whether it is cohesive secularism or staving off of majoritarianism, Justice Patel is clear — a democracy functions through dissent
The book outlines the diverse and opposing views that make India. Pic Courtesy/Karthik Chandran on Unsplash
Title: Undermining The Idea of India
Author: Justice Gautam Patel
Genre: Law, politics
Publisher: Seagull Books
Cost: Rs 199
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The idea of India has undergone a sea change since the architects of Independence enshrined it in the Constitution. Justice Gautam Patel of the Bombay High Court is perhaps the most appropriate person to examine it with a fair and studied perspective. His lecture, prepared for a talk hosted by the online journal Leaflet for Constitution Day, captures the complex nature of the dangers that threaten India’s democracy. Filled with humour and contextual touches of pop-culture, the speech, which is now available as a book, observes India’s democracy as a living organism that depends on the actions of its most important member — the people — for its survival.
Whether it is cohesive secularism or staving off of majoritarianism, Justice Patel is clear — a democracy functions through dissent. Even the action of voting out a government in power is as much an act of dissent against its actions, as it is an exercise of individual freedom. The admirable part of the book is its clarity that is devoid of any legal obfuscation or jargon. For the layman, this might be the right text to truly understand the definition of liberalism and democracy in a post-truth world. While he offers no straightforward solutions, the legalist in him places faith in the judiciary and the democratic Internet to protect and conserve dissent in these troubled times. There is a sense of optimism and determination that comes through in the book. After all, democracy is an act of hope and faith in the virtues of the majority to overcome their vices.
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