Our Constitution: An introduction to India's Constitution and Constitutional law

by Subhash C. Kashyap

A commentary and study.

Genres: India, Nonfiction

283 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Subhash C. Kashyap was intimately associated with Parliament for over 37 years. He was Secretary-General Lok Sabha during 1984-1990. Earlier, he headed the C.I.D.P. at the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Geneva and was Director of the Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies and the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training.Currently, he is Honorary Research professor at the Centre for Policy Research, Advocate Supreme Court and consultant in constitutional law, parliamentary affairs and Political management. He was a Member of the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution and Chairman of its Drafting Committee.Dr. Kashyap has published over 500 research papers and articles, over 50 Original works and another 50 edited volumes. He Lectures widely in India and abroad, and writes regularly for national dailies and Indian and foreign journals.

Reviews

[Nandakishore Mridula · Rating 3 out of 5]

In India, it is the time for heated debates on the constitution, and the Supreme Court is made to earn its keep with cases coming up before it which requires interpretation of the constitution every day. So I thought it high time that I read up on the constitution, if only to bring myself up-to-date on it.

This book is a good introduction: it explains the preamble very nicely. However, as you go into details, one needs a copy of the constitution as a handy reference to get the maximum out of the explanations. Fair enough, as this is a sort of textbook supposed to read by students and not a total rookie like me.

But I did gain something from it - I found out that:

1. Most of the things the right wingers say about the constitution are pure bovine excrement. Our constitution is democratic and secular, and there is a strong leaning towards socialism.

2. Even though the "freedom of expression" is a fundamental right, it is not absolute. In fact, it has been hedged in by so many restrictions through the first amendment that it resembles a dancer trying to do her thing with legs and hands bound.

3. The president has no real power at all.

4. Equality as per our constitution is a very vague concept. There are a lot of people who are "more equal than others".

5. Finally, even with all its flaws, it's a pretty strong document. Kudos to the founding fathers of the republic, especially Dr. Ambedkar, for giving us this. It has kept us a democracy while many other such "republics" have gone the way of despotism.

(Watch this space. I will expand on this as and when I see fit. I plan to get myself educated on the constitution.)

[Abhishek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I found Lakshmikanth(a stape of UPSC preparation) too boring. Subhash Kashyap has a lot of experience in this field and has written a lot on issues facing the constitution. The book is pretty objective and covers a good deal about the Indian constitution. Personal opinions of the author are also expressed though not enough for my liking. Reading the book will give you a good, overall feel of the Indian constitution and the tight rope the makers had to walk to bring out a constitution suitable for India. In this sense, I would put this as a book which should be read by every Indian.

[Meera]

i wnt to read

[Hossan Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's by no means an easy read and it's not supposed to be. Provides valuable insights into the "soul of the country". One of those books which you'll have to keep as reference to go back and revisit once in a while again . If you are a specific reader who reads lot on politics
, this should be the introductory material to Indian constitution.

[Aniket Patil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book is simple. read it when I was struggling with D D basu.

[Abhinay Dubey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kashyap Sir is amazing in explaining the nuances of the constitution in 25 Chapters.

[Vivek Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Sonu Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book the constitution has been explained by the author in a very simple language. This book is very beneficial for those who want to know about indian constitution.

[Mimansha · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is the best book .many people think that it to boring but i am only 13 year old girl and i like to read about constitution.

[PUSHPENDRA SINGH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best for analytical understanding of our constitution

[Satya Shiwani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in a very lucid language. A must read for every Indian citizen, especially the young Indians.

[Harsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucidly explains the intricate features of our indian constitution with its evolution and various supreme court cases.

[Manish Sahani]

Best book

[Dhritimaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and to the point, as an introductory text a must read.

[Mahender Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good introductory reader of Indian Constitution.
Useful for a lay person as well as for the students of the Constitution.

[Anupam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for everyone at school.

[Vivek Dataniya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb knowledge about the Indian Constitution

[Anugrah Nagaich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Among all the books on the Constitution of India which I've read so far, this one is the most simple in terms of jargons and language and provides a basic contextual perspective on our Constitution. This should be the first book to pick up if you want to read about the Indian Constitution.

[Rajesh Mishra]

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