S02E01 - Jhame-law

Friend of the Court

25-11-2023 • 45 mins

India is newly independent, with a path breaking new Constitution in place. The Nehru government is eager to implement land reforms to tackle poverty and inequality. But the fundamental rights provision of the Constitution is coming in the way, particularly the right to property.

The government needs to circumvent this. It brings in constitutional amendments to protect its pet policies from court review. This brings Inder Golak Nath to court, resulting in Golak Nath vs State of Punjab. Sandip Thakore, one of the few surviving participants from the case, tells us how it unfolded.

Soon after, Indira Gandhi comes to power, and implements bank nationalisation and abolishes princely privileges, setting her up for even more clashes with the courts.


Credits

  • Host: Raghu Karnad
  • Research Manager: Ramya Boddupalli
  • Research: Bhavya Dore, Ramya Boddupalli
  • Legal Research: Aishwarya Chaturvedi
  • Script writing: Bhavya Dore, Ramya Boddupalli
  • Script Editor: Supriya Nair
  • Producer: Gaurav Vaz
  • Sound Design, Score & Title Track: Saachi Rajadhyaksha
  • Mixing & Mastering: Ayan De
  • Advisors: Lawrence Liang, Ranvir Singh, Shyam Divan and Vivek Divan


Clips used