Class Notes 4 You

Indian Environmental movement are diverse and complex. RC Guha had argued that they are empty stomach movements and only post 1990s the era of professionalism was started in this sphere. It has been impacted by various factors like nature of political economy of India post 1991 LPG Reforms, changing nature of consumer demands towards more materialistic needs, etc.  Post 1990s changes • Adoption of a liberal economy where the government role declined and market forces captured the Indian economy boosting high scale capitalistic production interventions linking to increased nature of economic activities concentrated in urban areas based on deforested lands like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Bangaluru, etc. • Liberalization led market forces -Economic liberalizationbased on free market liberal era spurred economic growth, brought competition, increased production thereby increasing economic activities. But at the same time, it induced negative externalities due to high economic conce...

NCBC was given the constitutional status through 102nd Constitution Amendment Act, 2018. It has also been given the authority to examine grievances and welfare measures regarding the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes. Previously, NCBC was given a statutory status under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. In the Indian constitution, Article 340 deals with the need to, identify those "socially and educationally backward classes", and also to understand the conditions of their backwardness, and then to make recommendations to remove the difficulties they face. NCBC has proved itself to be an empowered body through - • The commission has the power to investigate and monitor all those matters relating to the safeguards provided for the socially and educationally backward classes under the Constitution or under any other law to evaluate the working of such safeguards. • It also participates and advises the government on the socio-economic develop...

Indian governance system has the provision of a bicameral system, i.e. two houses at the parliament. Upper house i.e. Rajya sabha and the lower house i.e. Lok sabha. Similarly, at the state level, the equivalent of the lower house is vidhan sabha or legislative assembly and that of upper house is legislative council or vidhan parishad. Article 169 of the constitution gives the provision for creation and abolition of legislative council in the states. Need of legislative councils- • It allows some leaders, professors, and other people who don’t participate in elections top articipate in legislative process. • It also helps to formulate better and detailed discussed legislation. • Upper House consists of representatives like- graduates, teachers, outstanding persons in the fields of art, literature, science and social service, brings in more representation in the lower house. • Having a second house at state level would allow for more debate and sharing of work between the Houses. Why le...

The Indian constitution was framed by the constituent assembly with the vision of building a unified and coherent society. Preamble of the constitution was specially designed keeping in mind all the ideals and aspirations that are forefathers wanted to see in our constitution. The preamble of Indian constitution is based on 1946 objective resolution proposed by J L Nehru. It was unanimously adopted on 22nd Jan, 1947. It shows the guiding purpose and principles of the document and also indicates the source of its power, i.e. people of India.  Our society is ever-evolving one with one of the largest diversity in the world, thus there is a need of a social contract which would be flexible, and responsible to the needed changes of the time; and while at the same time- should be rigid and robust. John Locke’s concept of social contract resembles Indian scenario the most. Both- John Locke’s state and Indian state talks about establishing- a state and how it interacts with the citizens. S...

The idea of industrialization arrived in India in around 1950s that was largely based on western understanding of development through technology. At that time, the worker class constituted a small part of the population. The gradual framing of industrial policies helped to increase the industrial workforce in India. It was in 1870’s when attempts were made in India for the first time to better the working conditions of the workers by framing laws for them. But it remained a very weak effort because of no concrete benefits to the working class due to it. The period of 1915-1922 saw various national freedom struggle movements. This period also witnessed the resurgence of the workers movements. Organizations for workers movements-  1. Working men’s club- It was formed by Sasipada Banerjee in 1870 in Bengal. He also started publishing a monthly journal ‘Bharat shramjibi’ to further increase worker’s cause. 2. Working men’s mission- it was formed in 1878 in Bengal by leaders of Brahmo s...

Intro: The Indian Independence Movement was a series of historic events with the ultimate aim of ending the British rule in India.  Radical Humanist perspective: was advocated by MN Roy. He published his thoughts in New Humanism-A manifesto. He said radical humanism was called radical because it rejected many traditional political and philosophical assumptions and humanism   as its focus was entirely on the needs and conditions of human beings. Roy was an advocate of “party-less democracy.’ Hence he held critical views regarding role of Congress and Gandhi in INM. For Roy, Congress wanted to end the British rule and establish congress rule over India. Roy called Gandhi a “weak and watery man who was always on a lookout for appointments with the Viceroy.” MN Roy and his followers quit the congress and dissolved their “League of Radical Congressmen” to create “Radical democratic Party” in 1939. They were opposed to the congress regarding World War II. They favored Indian...

Intro: Ethnicity refers to  a social group that shares a common and distinctive culture, religion, language. Political sociology approach of comparative politics studies interface of politics with societal factors like ethnicity,caste,religion,etc Donald Horowitz-His book - ethnic groups and conflict said ethnicity was in the backwaters of social sciences. But now it is coming in forefront of democracy and politics. It is difficult to determine Ethnicity in the Indian context as it constitutes four dimensions – caste, religion, language and race. This reflects the multilayered or overlapping identities in the ethnicity of India. management of ‘ethnic’ conflicts has been possible due to a certain kind of political culture which exists in India, that is, a fluid sense of identity. Its implication being that no conflict can accumulate to the extent of completely damaging the democratic fabric Paul brass in his book “ethnic groups and the state” mentions about the struggle of ethnic gr...

Intro:Lord Bryce: Therese is no better test of excellence of the govt than the performance of its judicial system. Phases of judiciary- 1950-1967 : positivist reading(literal reading) of the constitution (legal positivism) 1967-77: Challenger to executive overreach Judicial activism particularly after KIeshwananda Bharati Judiciary as an institution: Admirer- Prof Upendra Baxi- says it has done chemotherapy of carcinogenic indian politics. From SC of India to SC of Indians. Says SC is essentially acting as the institution of governance and not merely settling disputes Critic P B Mehta- calls it a paradoxical institution( want others to be accountable but khud nahi). Called judiciary’s use of powers of contempt as “judicial barbarism.” Calls it promise of uncertainty, ie it keeps changing its views in subsequent judgments  India is an example of judicial sovereignty. Mentions "post democracy" ie strengthening of non elected institutions. Lavanya Rajamani of Centre for polic...

On reservation in promotion M Agraj case 2006: Here SC laid down three condition for reservations in promotion: Particular community Myst be backward Inadequate representation Providing reservation would not affect administrative efficiency. Jarnail Singh case 2018: in both Nagraj and Jarnail  cases SC has said that there should be a creamy layer within SC/St in promotion But here SC said unlike the Nagraj case no need to show quantifiable data of backwardness as according to 9 judge Indra Sawhney 1992 bench, SC /St by definition mean backward Indra Swahney judgement said no reservations in promotion. But govt brought 77thAA in 1995 to add article 4(A) that provided reservation in promotion. Article 335 was amended to lower marks for SC/St in exam. This two amendments we're challenged in m Nagraj case. In Ashoka Kumar case 2007, KG Balakrishnan said it is imp to identify who deserves benefit of reservation within the reserved category. On RTI RAJ NARAIN CASE 1974 , SC says RTI...