India's Undeclared Emergency | Hardcover

India's Undeclared Emergency: Constitutionalism and the Politics of Resistance by Arvind Narrain examines the constitutional and democratic challenges confronting contemporary India. Through a legal and historical lens, the book explores debates around the rule of law, civil liberties, executive power, and constitutional governance, placing current developments within the broader context of India's political and constitutional history.

Drawing comparisons with the Emergency declared in 1975 while highlighting significant differences, India's Undeclared Emergency analyses the evolving relationship between constitutional institutions, democratic accountability, and public participation. It also reflects on the tradition of dissent and resistance as an enduring part of India's constitutional journey.

About This Book

In India's Undeclared Emergency, Arvind Narrain presents a detailed examination of constitutionalism and the pressures facing democratic institutions in India. The book discusses issues including the rule of law, preventive detention, censorship, executive accountability, and the protection of fundamental rights, tracing their development across different political periods rather than limiting the discussion to a single government.

The author contrasts the Emergency of 1975 with the present constitutional moment, arguing that the contemporary political landscape raises distinct constitutional questions. Alongside its legal analysis, the book documents historical and contemporary acts of resistance, emphasising the continuing importance of dissent within India's democratic framework.

What You'll Discover

• An analysis of constitutional challenges in contemporary India
• The historical context of the 1975 Emergency and its legacy
• Discussions on the rule of law and constitutional governance
• Perspectives on civil liberties, censorship, and preventive detention
• The role of executive accountability in a democracy
• Historical and contemporary traditions of democratic resistance

Perfect For

• Readers interested in Indian constitutional law
• Students of politics, law, and public policy
• Researchers exploring democracy and governance
• Readers interested in contemporary Indian political thought

Why You'll Love This Book

India's Undeclared Emergency combines legal analysis with historical context to examine important questions about constitutional governance and democratic institutions in India. It offers readers a thoughtful perspective on constitutional debates, civil liberties, and the continuing significance of democratic participation.