Columnists

Faizan Mustafa

The writer is vice chancellor, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad

What a petition on citizenship law could mean to Assam NRC update

Mon, Aug 27, 2018

Under Article 6 of the Constitution, anyone who migrated to India before July 19, 1948, from territory that had become part of Pakistan, automatically became a citizen if either of their parents or grandparents was born in India. But those who entered India after this date needed to register themselves.

India and Pakistan: How they differ on key constitutional questions

Tue, Aug 21, 2018

As Pakistan begins a new experiment in constitutional democracy, how does its national experience differ from India’s with regard to key aspects of government and law?

Sharia courts in fact

Fri, Aug 10, 2018

Research has shown that sharia councils are approached voluntarily and are often progressive

Justice more accessible

Mon, Jul 16, 2018

Sharia courts are an alternative dispute redressal mechanism that responds to the decline of the civil justice system, and addresses the needs of the poor.

Delhi power tussle: Between the Supreme Court’s lines

Thu, Jul 05, 2018

Supreme Court verdict on Delhi CM vs L-G sends powerful message of pushback by institutions.

Two inequalities

Wed, Jun 27, 2018

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath's talk of Dalit reservations in Jamia, AMU, misunderstands nature of minority institutions

Who is a citizen — in Assam, India?

Wed, Jun 06, 2018

Citizenship is a complicated idea with exclusion at its core. In Assam, which shares a border with Bangladesh and has faced illegal migration for decades, it is a particularly sensitive issue

Broken Promise

Fri, May 25, 2018

Representation, affirmative action are being diluted by UGC. Government must act.

The question of discretion

Fri, May 18, 2018

As SC continues to hear today the Cong-JD(S) appeal against Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala’s decision to call B S Yeddyurappa to form the government, an eminent jurist weighs in on a key aspect of the debate

In the bid to impeach Chief Justice of India, issues of constitutionalism, accountability

Tue, Apr 24, 2018

The unprecedented rejection of the motion for impeachment has raised multiple questions, but the wider context of the unfolding spectacle includes a range of related matters. Some key questions.

Undo the wrong

Thu, Apr 19, 2018

An ordinance to overturn the Supreme Court order on SC/ST Atrocities Act is much needed

One nation, many religions

Wed, Mar 21, 2018

Lingayat leadership is under an erroneous belief that recognition of a religious community depends on law

A Right For The Rich

Wed, Mar 14, 2018

Euthanasia verdict could lead to neglect of terminally ill poor patients.

Key questions in disagreement between SC 3-judge Benches

Tue, Mar 06, 2018

What questions of law, judicial propriety are involved in the working of Benches?

From Jessica Lal’s case to Sohrabuddin Sheikh’s, why witness protection in India remains vexed

Mon, Feb 19, 2018

The Delhi government notified a witness protection scheme on July 31, 2015. On February 7, 2017, MoS (Home) Hansraj Ahir told Rajya Sabha there was no consensus on witness protection, and law and order is a state subject.

Learning from a neighbour

Mon, Feb 12, 2018

Indian judiciary could look at how Pak courts dealt with lynching of Mashal Khan.

Govt vs Supreme Court is now Judges vs CJI

Sat, Jan 13, 2018

Supreme Court crisis: There has been previous confrontation but this one is of different magnitude, the fight within makes it the worst crisis in the country’s judicial history.

Legal excess

Fri, Dec 29, 2017

The triple talaq bill is a textbook case of overcriminalisation

The Defender Of Faith

Mon, Nov 27, 2017

In contending that secularism is a lie, Yogi Adityanath tragically gets it right

Misreading Sir Syed

Tue, Oct 17, 2017

He is erroneously believed to be a proponent of the two-nation theory

Religion At State Expense

Thu, Aug 31, 2017

SC verdict in the Gujarat shrines compensation case raises important questions.

Right to Privacy: What the Supreme Court said

Fri, Aug 25, 2017

In historic 9-0 verdict, the Supreme Court establishes a new bar for civil liberties, individual rights and the freedom of choice in India; stresses Constitution’s silences are important, too.

3 judgments, 3 takeaways

Wed, Aug 23, 2017

In striking down instant triple talaq, the Supreme Court has struck a historic blow for gender justice in India. It has also underlined, with greater emphasis than ever before, the ‘absolute’ nature of the freedom of religion guaranteed in the Constitution of India