PROF JAGDEEP S CHHOKAR is one of the founding members of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) — one of the leading voluntary organisations dedicated to strengthening democracy and improving governance in the country. He has worked for electoral reforms through the judicial system by filing Public Interest Litigations in the higher judiciary to get […]
Presenting the current impasse in the Collegium as one that could ‘cost India its first female CJI’ would be a mistake. Should token gender empowerment trump fairness? The question may not be politically correct, but please read this headline: “Will collegium impasse cost India chance to get woman CJI in 2027?” I am not sure […]
The polarisation caused by traditional bases of political and electoral mobilisation means that new methods are required. The farmers’ protest has transcended these divisions. “First they came for the rationalists (Dabholkar, Pansare, Kalburgi), and I did not speak out – because I was not sure I was a rationalist.Then they came for Dalits (Rohith Vermula, […]
The authors of this article are Prof Jagdeep Chhokar (Founder Member & Trustee of ADR) & Gaurav Jain (Advocate). Scores of tenants are virtually trapped in their rented accommodations for not being able to pay rent which they expected would be paid by the Delhi government as per its promise. On December 17, 2020, the […]
Five tenants and one landlord have approached the Delhi high court asking it to direct the state government to fulfil a ‘legitimate expectation’ promised by the chief minister. Can, or should, the poor of Delhi have any expectations at all from the Delhi government? Five tenants and one landlord, living in the area of Palam […]
On December 21, the Central Information Commission ruled that voters and citizens need not know how political parties are funded, implying that they cannot be described as “public authorities”. The issue is electoral bonds. In two decisions on December 21, 2020, a single-member bench of the Central Information Commission (CIC) said that people/citizens/voters do not have […]
ट्रांसपेरेंसी इंटरनेशनल की ताजा रिपोर्ट “ग्लोबल करप्शन बैरोमीटर फॉर एशिया’ के अनुसार भ्रष्टाचार के मामले में भारत अब एशिया में शीर्ष पर है। इस रिपोर्ट के अनुसार करीब 50 फीसदी लोगों को अपना काम निकलवाने के लिए रिश्वत देनी पड़ी। इनमें से 63 फीसदी ने इस डर से काई शिकायत भी नहीं की कि इससे […]
In a recent hearing in the Central Vista case, the court suggested that its decision not to grant a stay on construction was based on expectations rather than the law. Often referred to as the most powerful court in the world, the Supreme Court of India sometimes acts in mysterious ways. The most recent instance […]
The apex court has asked parties and candidates to widely publicise criminal histories in local and national newspapers, as well as on social media, including Twitter and Facebook. The published material must list details of the offence, charges framed, etc. The party has to explain why the candidate was chosen despite the criminal taint. Merely […]
The Election Commission recently mooted connecting electoral expense limits to population and inflation; but will that create a level playing field between rich and poor candidates? “Indian politicians start their legislative careers with a lie — the false spending returns they submit? – Atal Bihari Vajpayee” Achchhe din (Good days) are here for at least one category of persons in India: […]