Columnists

Prashant Bhushan

Prashant Bhushan is an advocate at the Supreme Court of India.

I do not ask for mercy, open criticism of any institution is necessary to safeguard the constitutional order

Sat, Aug 22, 2020

Prashant Bhushan writes: I am shocked that the court holds me guilty of “malicious, scurrilous, calculated attack” on the institution of administration of justice. I am dismayed that the Court has arrived at this conclusion without providing any evidence of my motives to launch such an attack.

Treatment of Rohingya refugees by Modi government display a discriminatory attitude towards Muslims

Fri, Feb 21, 2020

Sending Rohingya back would mean violating the right to life, constitutional morality.

Deliberate ambiguity regarding citizenship laws threatens to undermine the values of the Constitution

Mon, Jan 13, 2020

In such circumstances, it is the duty of the judiciary to step in against this brutal suppression of peaceful protests. However, we are yet to see any effective and strong action by the judiciary.

Conduct of Foreigners Tribunals in Assam is questionable

Fri, Sep 20, 2019

The fate of close to two million people excluded from the NRC in Assam rests with the Foreigners Tribunals. The constitutionality and conduct of these quasi-judicial bodies are questionable.

Ram Jethmalani dead: ‘His fearless and outspoken voice is being sorely missed’

Mon, Sep 09, 2019

'Ram Jethmalani was always a larger-than-life figure in the courts and in the country,' writes human rights advocate Prashant Bhushan.

Worse than Emergency

Thu, Aug 30, 2018

The latest arrests represent a new and extremely dangerous phase in the steady erosion of civil liberties, fundamental rights and indeed democracy in India.

Dissent in its place

Thu, Jul 26, 2018

Supreme Court verdict recognises citizens’ right to hold protests at Jantar Mantar. But by leaving much to executive discretion, Court has also paved the way for restriction of the right

King of the court

Tue, Jul 10, 2018

Supreme Court has let go of the opportunity to immunise the allocation of cases from abuse of power by the CJI and to democratise the process.

A transparency deficit

Thu, Feb 22, 2018

The allegations by the judges also raise serious doubts about the independence of the judiciary, given that an estimated 45 to 70 per cent of litigation involves the government.

A new (agri)culture

Fri, Jul 21, 2017

Unless we quickly get our act together, we must be prepared to face the consequences. In any food crisis, it is the top of the food chain that suffers the most. In the case of farmer’s distress, the top of food chain is us — the end consumer.

A Moment Of Reckoning

Mon, May 15, 2017

To preserve judiciary’s independence, appointment process must be transparent

Jallikattu, like Shah Bano

Tue, Jan 31, 2017

The bending by AIADMK and BJP-led governments to vote-bank pressures in Tamil Nadu is regressive. It ignores the judgments of the Supreme Court.

Justice eludes

Tue, Sep 20, 2016

The decline in political discourse is evident in the language and imagery used by politicians to belittle their rivals. Judiciary has failed to rein in such people.

Panama Papers