Social Justice: A Dialogue

In the midst of political and moral crisis in the country, a citizen looks towards a judge of the Supreme Court, who occupies central position in contemporary Indian polity, for protection and guidance. A Supreme Court judge is expected to be the guardian of the Indian constitution. To what extent judges of Indian Supreme Court have performed this role? What is the role of law in social transformation? What are the limitations of legal system in meeting aspirations of masses in a changing society? These are some of the questions which jurists, social scientists and social activists discuss these days. The present book is in the form of a dialogue on "social justice" between retired judge of the Supreme Court, Justice D.A. Desai, and a cross-section of people including social scientists, lawyers, social activists and bureaucrats. The issue raised by Justice D.A Desai are: what is justice and what is law? Who is an ideal judge? Can the judge be neutral and value-free? What should be the correct approach of a judge in relation to the dispute between haves and have-nots? Is not the judge required to imbibe constitutional philosophy? This book will certainly provide stimulating material to students of sociology of law, jurisprudence and political theory.