https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Indian_Constitution%3A_A_Conversation_with_PowerIndian Constitution: A Conversation with Power - Revision history2026-10-26T02:20:59ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indian_Constitution:_A_Conversation_with_Power&diff=504048&oldid=prevAlphabravodevelopmentreview: made new page2026-01-13T06:51:32Z<p>made new page</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Non-fiction book (2025)}}<br />
{{orphan|date=June 2025}}<br />
{{Infobox book<br />
| name = The Indian Constitution: A Conversation with Power<br />
| image = Indian Constitution A Conversation with Power.jpg<br />
| caption = <br />
| author = [[Gautam Bhatia (lawyer)|Gautam Bhatia]]<br />
| country = India<br />
| language = English<br />
| subject = [[Indian Constitution]], [[constitutional law]], [[political theory]]<br />
| genre = [[Non-fiction]]<br />
| publisher = [[HarperCollins India]]<br />
| pub_date = 2025<br />
}}<br />
'''''Indian Constitution: A Conversation with Power''''' is a [[non-fiction]] book authored by Indian constitutional lawyer and scholar [[Gautam Bhatia (lawyer)|Gautam Bhatia]], published in February 2025 by [[HarperCollins|HarperCollins India]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Book Extract {{!}} The Indian Constitutional: A Conversation in Power by Gautam Bhatia |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/books/book-extract-the-indian-constitution-a-conversation-in-power-by-gautam-bhatia-article-12992174.html#google_vignette}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Khanna |first=Gyanvi |date=2023-09-17 |title=Public Conversations About Judicial Ideology Necessary: Gautam Bhatia |url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/gautam-bhatia-book-unsealed-covers-judicial-ideology-237986 |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=www.livelaw.in |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Datta |first=Sudipta |date=2020-03-14 |title=In conversation with Gautam Bhatia |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/the-constitution-was-meant-to-interrogate-relationships-of-power-gautam-bhatia/article31058570.ece |access-date=2025-06-25 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The book examines the [[Constitution of India|Indian Constitution]] through the conceptual lens of power—its formation, distribution, and contestation within India's constitutional framework.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2025-01-24 |title=Gautam Bhatia: The terrain of the Constitution is not exhaustive of the question of power |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/rights-law-judiciary-people-constitution-nation-government/article69126670.ece |access-date=2025-06-25 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><br />
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== Content and themes ==<br />
The book analyzes the Indian constitutional structure by exploring six major themes: federalism, parliamentarianism, pluralism, institutions, rights, and the people. Bhatia presents the Constitution as a framework that, despite a formally balanced design, has historically enabled the centralization of authority, particularly within the Union executive. The book also discusses how judicial interpretations have contributed to this trend in various contexts.<br />
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One chapter, titled ''Interlude: Yesterday’s Tomorrow'', considers constitutional alternatives and historical developments that did not materialize. It reflects on documents such as the Mysore Constitution of 1920 and constitutional reform efforts in the aftermath of the Emergency in the late 1970s.<ref name=":0" /><br />
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== Reception ==<br />
''Indian Constitution: A Conversation with Power'' received favorable reviews from Indian academic and media publications.<br />
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''[[The Tribune (India)|The Tribune]]'' praised the book for its combination of historical case studies and constitutional analysis, noting Bhatia’s argument that both the constitutional text and judicial interpretations have contributed to a longstanding trend of centralization.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The complex Constitution-power interplay in 'The Indian Constitution' by Gautam Bhatia |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/book-reviews/the-complex-constitution-power-interplay-in-the-indian-constitution-by-gautam-bhatia/ |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref><br />
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''The [[Hindustan Times]]'' highlighted the book’s ability to explain complex legal concepts in an accessible manner and noted its discussion of executive dominance and unwritten constitutional conventions.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-28 |title=Review: The Indian Constitution; A Conversation with Power by Gautam Bhatia |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/review-the-indian-constitution-a-conversation-with-power-bygautam-bhatia-101743180650412.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425192743/https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/review-the-indian-constitution-a-conversation-with-power-bygautam-bhatia-101743180650412.html |archive-date=2025-04-25 |access-date=2025-06-25 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
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''[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]]'' described the book as a "bold critique of power and democracy," and emphasized its comparative approach and capacity to provoke reflection on the future of Indian constitutionalism.<ref>{{Cite web |title='The Indian Constitution: Conversations with Power' review: A bold critique of power and democracy |url=https://www.theweek.in/review/books/2025/04/19/the-indian-constitution-conversations-with-power-review-a-bold-critique-of-power-and-democracy.html |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref><br />
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== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{Authority control}}<br />
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[[Category:2025 non-fiction books]]<br />
[[Category:Indian non-fiction books]]<br />
[[Category:Books about politics of India]]<br />
[[Category:English-language books]]<br />
[[Category:HarperCollins&nbsp;books]]</div>Alphabravodevelopmentreview