Interesting, but biased
Radhika Thapar

Law, Ideas And Ideology In Politics: Perspective of an Activist
by Ashwani Kumar. Har-Anand Publication Pvt. Ltd. Pages 224. Rs 495.

DEGENERATION of political systems is the result of an unbridled desire for power and a gradual disinterest on the part of the intelligentsia in political activism. Today the law is no longer used as a means to achieve justice but as an instrument to fulfil the political ambitions. The need of the hour is, therefore, to check such misuse of power.

Keeping this view in mind, author of the Ashwani Kumar, an advocate by profession, and at present a Rajya Sabha Member and Chairman of the AICC Vichar Manch, tries to establish the supremacy of the concept of the ‘rule of law’. His book Law, Ideas and Ideology in Politics, is a collection of his most important writings, published articles, interviews and speeches delivered in the Rajya Sabha.

The author, who was at one time an Additional Solicitor General of India, tries to express his views on various socio-economic-political matters.

For the purpose of securing constitutional democracy, the author shows an uncompromising attitude towards anything which goes against the values of our republic. The author also shows his infallible belief in the Supreme Court. He states that the power of review that the apex court enjoys cannot be abridged or taken away as it is necessary to keep a check on the functioning of the executive and the legislature.

As India is a multi-religion state and moreover since the Constitution upholds the policy of secularism, the author feels that to maintain the unity and integrity of nation, the government should not adopt any state religion.

In part II of the book, while dealing with economic reforms, the author talks about the challenges that the Indian economy is facing. With the modernisation of technology and the pace at which the world is getting globalised, the author feels that India should not lack behind in technology. Its economic policy should be liberal and the concept of socialism should be understood in a broader aspect.

The book also touches upon the present-day government’s inability to tackle sensitive issues like terrorism, Indo-Pak relations and unemployment. The author suggests that India’s stand on international events should not be influenced by the policies of the US.

Though the book will be of interest to those who are keen to read about issues which influence the course of our politics, economy, foreign policy and jurisprudence but the author fails to give a neutral view point. As a former spokesperson of the Congress, the author tends to put forward the stand of the Congress.

A reading of the book is in itself educative as the author tries to tie his political thought and his opinions on judicial decisions and legislative action in one thread. As an eminent Congress worker, he believes that Congress committed to welfare of the people.

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