Freedom of Speech and Constitutional Nostalgia

As a part of our special series commemorating 75 years of the Supreme Court we look at one of the Supreme Court’s earliest landmark decisions. Arudra Burra's article, first published in Seminar magazine, was a refreshing look at Romesh Thapar v State of Madras, 1950. By undertaking a deep study of the consequences of a judgement that was hailed for upholding the freedom of speech, Burra cautioned us about “constitutional progressivism” obscuring the real-world implications of the Court’s pronouncements. Read now!