Description: The Constitution spells out the procedure for appointing judges as a consultative process between the government and the judiciary. In the early years of independence, conventions evolve to give the judiciary the upper hand, which the government accepts. But not all is well between the government and the courts. Right from the Nehru years, the government's social...
Description:
The Constitution spells out the procedure for appointing judges as a consultative process between the government and the judiciary. In the early years of independence, conventions evolve to give the judiciary the upper hand, which the government accepts. But not all is well between the government and the courts. Right from the Nehru years, the government's social reform agenda puts it on a collision course with the courts. Constitutional amendments are proving to be contentious. And one question dominates the debate: Can Parliament amend the Constitution however it likes? The Supreme Court answers this question several times over before settling it once and for all in the Kesavananda Bharati case. The case goes on to form the bedrock of constitutional interpretation and later play a key role in the NJAC case. The outcome angers Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who starts actively meddling in judicial appointments.
Host: Raghu Karnad
Research and Writing:
Research Manager: Ramya Boddupalli
Legal Researcher: Vipinn Mittaal
Scriptwriter: Ramya Boddupalli
Script editor: Bhavya Dore
Fact checker: Vipinn Mittaal
Advisors: Lawrence Liang, Ranvir Singh, Shyam Divan and Vivek Divan
Production:
Head of Production: Shaun Fanthome
Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas
Production Assistant: Sakshi Nair
Sound Design & Mix: Kartik Kulkarni
Sound Editor & Music Supervisor: Lakshman Parsuram
Graphic Designer: Sephin Alexander
Guest speakers in this episode include:
- Abhinav Chandrachud
- Alok Prasanna Kumar
- Dushyant Dave
List of References
Audio clips:
- News clip of Modi's swearing in - https://youtu.be/ipL4jLrEKUE
- News clip of parliament passing NJAC - https://youtu.be/7H3L0ZmhWjc
- News clip of Indira Gandhi winning 1967 election - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKk4vKbf5Ak
- News clip of Indira Gandhi on campaign trail- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfK3Bun13r4
- News clip of President announcing Emergency- https://youtu.be/QnxXBivNRIM
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee's victory rally speech- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsJ_dRRvsBI