Perspectives on Indian Politics : Essays in Honour of Professor R.N. Pal

Contemporary era in the Indian context, can be characterised as an era of transition. Mahatma Gandhi and the Constitution of India are the two most important factors which are key to understand the activities of the politics in India today. This is precisely what Professor R.N. Pal, the distinguished political scientist and an academician of international repute advocates. This book highlights these two vital aspects of Indian political system. The essays in this book have been contributed by the well wishers, friends and students of Professor R.N. Pal in honour of his yeomen service in the field. The learned contributors have discussed in their essays myriads of relevant themes like: use of religion in politics, relevance of Gandhian economics in the era of globalisation, liberalisation and emerging new economic world order; corruption/malpractices in the political system and the purification of politics; social justice; relevance of Sarvodaya; socialist and communist politics; nuclear threat and proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in Asia; Mandalised politics and issue of caste based reservation; role of media in politics and political discourse today; right to propagate/convert religion and constitution; federalism and its related issues in India; human rights protection, constitution and judicial reforms, democracy and constitutionalism, electoral reforms, presidential form of government in Indian context and third tier of government via PRIs in India. These essays represent current day Indian scenario of political, economic and social realities, besides discussing these abovesaid topics the scholars offer valuable suggestions and reforms in Indian politics too.