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You Must Know Your Constitution
26 November 1949 marks the date when the longest constitution in the world was formally adopted to guide the largest democracy in the world. It effectively transformed the British Dominion of India into one nation—the independent Republic of India. The supreme law of the land set forth the workings of Indian democracy and polity, and its provisions aimed to secure justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for the people of India. As drafted and as conceived, the constitution makes provision for a functioning democracy and not an electoral autocracy, and this is how it has to be worked. It is therefore imperative for all citizens to familiarise themselves with its provisions.
In this definitive tome, the author (who commenced his legal practice in the year the constitution was enacted) presents his comments in a style that is comprehensive, lucid, and systematic. The book traces the history and the origins of India’s document of governance and explains its provisions. Some of the salient features of the book educative and informative exposition of the different parts of the Indian Constitution, including a bird’s-eye view of—and with comments on—all the three hundred and ninety-five articles of the constitution and additions made by constitutional amendments.Provides references of critical cases and prominent constitutional developments up to 31 July 2023.Insightfully describes the structure, powers, and directive principles of government institutions.Contains updated judicial pronouncements and legislative and constitutional amendments.In essence, You Must Know Your Constitution is an immensely readable and insightful compendium, inter alia, for judiciary aspirants, academicians, legal and administrative authorities, policymakers, research scholars, and students as well as for general readers who are interested in exploring the manifold facets of India’s core document of governance.
In this definitive tome, the author (who commenced his legal practice in the year the constitution was enacted) presents his comments in a style that is comprehensive, lucid, and systematic. The book traces the history and the origins of India’s document of governance and explains its provisions. Some of the salient features of the book educative and informative exposition of the different parts of the Indian Constitution, including a bird’s-eye view of—and with comments on—all the three hundred and ninety-five articles of the constitution and additions made by constitutional amendments.Provides references of critical cases and prominent constitutional developments up to 31 July 2023.Insightfully describes the structure, powers, and directive principles of government institutions.Contains updated judicial pronouncements and legislative and constitutional amendments.In essence, You Must Know Your Constitution is an immensely readable and insightful compendium, inter alia, for judiciary aspirants, academicians, legal and administrative authorities, policymakers, research scholars, and students as well as for general readers who are interested in exploring the manifold facets of India’s core document of governance.
515 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2023
40 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Fali S. Nariman
16 books66 followersFali Sam Nariman is a distinguished Indian Constitutional jurist and senior advocate to the Supreme Court of India since 1971 and has remained the President of the Bar Association of India since 1991.Nariman is an internationally recognised authority on international arbitration. He is one of India's most distinguished constitutional lawyers and he has argued several leading cases.He remained Additional Solicitor General of India May 1972- June 1975.
He has been awarded the Padma Bhushan (1991), Padma Vibhushan (2007)and Gruber Prize for Justice (2002) and has remained nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Parliament of India for a term (1999–2005).Also honoured by NDTV among the 25 living Indian legends on December 14, 2013.
Born in 1929 in Rangoon to Sam Bariyamji Nariman and Banoo Nariman, Fali did his schooling from Bishop Cotton School, Shimla. Thereafter he studied B.A. (Hon.), in Economics and History from St. Xavier's College, Bombay (now Mumbai), followed by a Law degree (LL.B.) from the Government Law College, Mumbai in, 1950, after standing first in the Advocate's Examination and been awarded the Kinlock Forbes Gold Medal and Prize for Roman Law & Jurisprudence.His father initially wanted him to write the Indian Civil Service Examination. Since he could not afford it at that time, he chose law as his last option.
Nariman started his law practice at the Bombay High Court. After practicing for 22 years, he was appointed a Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court of India in 1971, a position he retains to date. He said that "My senior's senior, Jamsetjee Kanga was my mentor. He was like a father figure to me. He died at 93 and he is the one who, at the age of 92, told me that he was still learning. He had a tremendous memory and so does my son Rohinton. He was an Ordained Priest and so is Rohinton."[8]
Nariman was instrumental to the development of the Indian Constitution's Law. Nariman was Additional Solicitor General of India from May 1972 to 25 June 1975, resigning from that post upon the Declaration of Emergency on 26 June 1975.
Nariman argued in favour of Dow chemicals (the owned by Union carbide) in the infamous Bhopal gas disaster case, which he admitted as a mistake in recent times.He was instrumental in getting a deal between victims and the company outside court, which offered an amount of $470 million to the victims. He also argued in the famous case of the Supreme Court AoR Association, in which the Supreme Court took over the appointment of judges in the Higher Judiciary. He also appeared in many important cases like Golak Nath, S.P. Gupta, T.M.A. Pai Foundation, etc.
Nariman is the recipient of the Padma Vibhushan (in 2007) and Padma Bhushan (in 1991), respectively the second and third highest honors granted to civilians by the President of India. Both awards were for Nariman's contributions to jurisprudence and public affairs. Nariman was awarded the Gruber Prize for Justice in 2002.He dedicated his awards to his alma mater Bishop Cotton School in Shimla.
His books serves as an outstanding scholarly treatise on the Constitutional Law, its interpretation and application. His concern as a citizen of India laces all his writings and remains an inspiration for every student of Indian Law.
He has been awarded the Padma Bhushan (1991), Padma Vibhushan (2007)and Gruber Prize for Justice (2002) and has remained nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Parliament of India for a term (1999–2005).Also honoured by NDTV among the 25 living Indian legends on December 14, 2013.
Born in 1929 in Rangoon to Sam Bariyamji Nariman and Banoo Nariman, Fali did his schooling from Bishop Cotton School, Shimla. Thereafter he studied B.A. (Hon.), in Economics and History from St. Xavier's College, Bombay (now Mumbai), followed by a Law degree (LL.B.) from the Government Law College, Mumbai in, 1950, after standing first in the Advocate's Examination and been awarded the Kinlock Forbes Gold Medal and Prize for Roman Law & Jurisprudence.His father initially wanted him to write the Indian Civil Service Examination. Since he could not afford it at that time, he chose law as his last option.
Nariman started his law practice at the Bombay High Court. After practicing for 22 years, he was appointed a Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court of India in 1971, a position he retains to date. He said that "My senior's senior, Jamsetjee Kanga was my mentor. He was like a father figure to me. He died at 93 and he is the one who, at the age of 92, told me that he was still learning. He had a tremendous memory and so does my son Rohinton. He was an Ordained Priest and so is Rohinton."[8]
Nariman was instrumental to the development of the Indian Constitution's Law. Nariman was Additional Solicitor General of India from May 1972 to 25 June 1975, resigning from that post upon the Declaration of Emergency on 26 June 1975.
Nariman argued in favour of Dow chemicals (the owned by Union carbide) in the infamous Bhopal gas disaster case, which he admitted as a mistake in recent times.He was instrumental in getting a deal between victims and the company outside court, which offered an amount of $470 million to the victims. He also argued in the famous case of the Supreme Court AoR Association, in which the Supreme Court took over the appointment of judges in the Higher Judiciary. He also appeared in many important cases like Golak Nath, S.P. Gupta, T.M.A. Pai Foundation, etc.
Nariman is the recipient of the Padma Vibhushan (in 2007) and Padma Bhushan (in 1991), respectively the second and third highest honors granted to civilians by the President of India. Both awards were for Nariman's contributions to jurisprudence and public affairs. Nariman was awarded the Gruber Prize for Justice in 2002.He dedicated his awards to his alma mater Bishop Cotton School in Shimla.
His books serves as an outstanding scholarly treatise on the Constitutional Law, its interpretation and application. His concern as a citizen of India laces all his writings and remains an inspiration for every student of Indian Law.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 28, 2023
"You Must Know Your Constitution" is a comprehensive exploration of India's constitutional landscape. Authored by a legal practitioner with a career spanning the enactment of the constitution, the book delves into the historical roots and evolution of India's governance document. Likewise it focuses on how India's constitution almost never got finalised that an interesting insight I personally unaware of. With a lucid and systematic writing style, the author elucidates the intricacies of all three hundred and ninety-five articles, including amendments up to July 2023, making it an invaluable resource.
The book not only educates on the various components of the Indian Constitution but also offers insightful commentary, providing readers with a nuanced understanding. The executive, the legislature and the judiciary were known as the 3 pillars of our democracy. The way the author enlightened them in the constitution is just informative and connecting to read. Noteworthy features include references to critical cases, constitutional developments, and updated information on judicial pronouncements and legislative changes. This ensures the content remains relevant and aligned with the dynamic nature of constitutional law.
Particularly beneficial for judiciary aspirants, academicians, legal professionals, policymakers, and research scholars, the tome serves as a readable and insightful compendium. It offers a deep dive into the structure, powers, and directive principles of government institutions, making it an indispensable guide for anyone keen on comprehending the multifaceted aspects of India's foundational governance document.
In essence, "You Must Know Your Constitution" transcends the realms of a typical legal tome. It serves as a beacon for those navigating the intricate landscape of Indian democracy, offering not just information but a nuanced understanding of the principles that underpin the largest democracy in the world.
Overall, the book stands as a testament to the author's expertise, providing a valuable resource for both experts and general readers interested in the intricacies of Indian constitutionalism.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The book not only educates on the various components of the Indian Constitution but also offers insightful commentary, providing readers with a nuanced understanding. The executive, the legislature and the judiciary were known as the 3 pillars of our democracy. The way the author enlightened them in the constitution is just informative and connecting to read. Noteworthy features include references to critical cases, constitutional developments, and updated information on judicial pronouncements and legislative changes. This ensures the content remains relevant and aligned with the dynamic nature of constitutional law.
Particularly beneficial for judiciary aspirants, academicians, legal professionals, policymakers, and research scholars, the tome serves as a readable and insightful compendium. It offers a deep dive into the structure, powers, and directive principles of government institutions, making it an indispensable guide for anyone keen on comprehending the multifaceted aspects of India's foundational governance document.
In essence, "You Must Know Your Constitution" transcends the realms of a typical legal tome. It serves as a beacon for those navigating the intricate landscape of Indian democracy, offering not just information but a nuanced understanding of the principles that underpin the largest democracy in the world.
Overall, the book stands as a testament to the author's expertise, providing a valuable resource for both experts and general readers interested in the intricacies of Indian constitutionalism.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
May 30, 2024
Author's ability to cite cases pertaining to important parts of the constitution is hallmark of this book.A learned scholar with a living conscience who resigned from post of additional solicitor general as soon as emergency was declared by government in 1975, this author has seen a lot and it gets reflected in this book
June 19, 2024
It is an explanation of Indian constitution written as concisely as possible, splattered with case law and some historic facts..footnotes and case law make it tedious for normal readers but the gist and the it’s ever present impact on the nation makes it worthwhile for everyone to read..albeit multiple times to truly understand/follow it..
April 11, 2024
Wonderful read. ..
Now that there are major revisions done.. this becomes even more relevant as to understand the original structure of the constitution framed in its inception.
It also talks of article 370 which was icing on cake.
Now that there are major revisions done.. this becomes even more relevant as to understand the original structure of the constitution framed in its inception.
It also talks of article 370 which was icing on cake.
February 4, 2025
Decent Effort
Panchayat, municipal nd grass root level governance through constitutional lens missing.
More of left leaning approach in picking quotes of authors selectively.
Not easily manuevrable for civilians neither substantially sufficient for law practiceners .
Panchayat, municipal nd grass root level governance through constitutional lens missing.
More of left leaning approach in picking quotes of authors selectively.
Not easily manuevrable for civilians neither substantially sufficient for law practiceners .
May 28, 2024
An excellent book on our constitution
October 3, 2024
A delightful read about the niche topics of the constitution without necessarily focusing on the fundamental rights
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews