The Constitution and the People

The Constitution is more than a document. It is a conversation. The Indian Constitution has two ‘lives’. Its juridical life unfolds in courtrooms and lawyers’ chambers through technical discussions. Its social life unfolds in the public imagination in stories and popular myths. Over time, these stories and myths gain a life of their own, resulting in beliefs about matters like the originality of the Constitution, affirmative action (‘reservation’) and much else. In The Constitution and the People, Anurag Bhaskar challenges persistent myths about the Constitution, its origins, its scope, its socio-political impact and explores the historical context, lived experiences, and real-life stories that illuminate the Constitution’s continuing relevance in contemporary India. This is a book intended for citizens who do not possess formal legal training but wish to understand the foundational document of their nation.