Anuj Bhuwania’s book, Courting the People: Public Interest Litigation in Post-Emergency India, is a critical examination of the evolution and impact of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India after the Emergency era. PIL, a legal mechanism that allows citizens to seek justice on behalf of marginalized or underprivileged groups, has had a profound influence on the Indian legal system and broader society.
Bhuwania’s work traces the origins of PIL, primarily through the lens of the Indian Supreme Court. He sheds light on how the court, during the post-Emergency period, opened its doors to social activists and non-governmental organizations to file PILs on issues related to human rights, the environment, and more. This marked a significant shift in the court’s approach, making it more accessible to the common people.
The book critically analyzes the effects of PIL, both its successes and shortcomings. Bhuwania raises thought-provoking questions about whether PIL truly empowers the marginalized or serves as a platform for legal elites. He examines the challenges of implementing court orders and the limits of judicial activism.
Courting the People offers a comprehensive exploration of the PIL phenomenon in India, illustrating how it has influenced the intersection of law, politics, and social justice in the country. Bhuwania’s work provides valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of this legal mechanism in addressing the myriad challenges facing India’s diverse and complex society.