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Introduction

The Indian Supreme Court and Progressive Social Change

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 August 2019

Gerald N. Rosenberg
Affiliation:
University of Chicago
Sudhir Krishnaswamy
Affiliation:
Azim Premji University, Bangalore
Shishir Bail
Affiliation:
Azim Premji University, Bangalore
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Summary

There is a widely held belief among Indian academics, political and civil society activists, and public-spirited citizens that the Indian Supreme Court is both capable and uniquely structured to help the relatively disadvantaged. The broad scope of rights granted by the Indian Constitution and the relative institutional independence of the Indian Supreme Court bolster this optimistic view of the Court.1 This view also draws support from the perceived inability of the Indian political system to respond to chronic denials of human rights. Political infighting, corruption, inert bureaucracies, and an ossified yet resilient cultural system render the political system structurally incapable of decisive and progressive social change. In contrast, the Indian Supreme Court is free from these constraints.

Type
Chapter
Information
A Qualified Hope
The Indian Supreme Court and Progressive Social Change
, pp. 1 - 20
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2019

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Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985) 3 SCC 545.Google Scholar
Re Special Reference No 1 of 1998 (1998) 7 SCC 739.Google Scholar
SP Gupta v. Union of India (1981) Supp SCC 87.Google Scholar
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Sunil Batra (II) v. Delhi Administration (1980) 3 SCC 488.Google Scholar
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T.N. Godavarman v. Union of India (1997) 3 SCC 312.Google Scholar
Veena Sethi v. State of Bihar (1982) 2 SCC 583.Google Scholar
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Cases

Bandhua Mukti Morcha v. Union of India (1984) 3 SCC 161.Google Scholar
Dr Upendra Baxi v. State of UP (1983) 2 SCC 308.Google Scholar
Navtej Singh Johar & Ors. v. Union of India, Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 76 of 2016.Google Scholar
Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985) 3 SCC 545.Google Scholar
Re Special Reference No 1 of 1998 (1998) 7 SCC 739.Google Scholar
SP Gupta v. Union of India (1981) Supp SCC 87.Google Scholar
State of Kerala v. NM Thomas (1976) 2 SCC 310.Google Scholar
Sunil Batra (II) v. Delhi Administration (1980) 3 SCC 488.Google Scholar
Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association v. Union of India (1993) 4 SCC 441.Google Scholar
T.N. Godavarman v. Union of India (1997) 3 SCC 312.Google Scholar
Veena Sethi v. State of Bihar (1982) 2 SCC 583.Google Scholar
Vineet Narain & Ors. v. Union of India and Anr. (1998) 1 SCC 226.Google Scholar

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