Transformative Constitutionalism, Constitutional Morality and Equality: The Indian Supreme Court on Section 377

Kanad Bagchi

doi:10.5771/0506-7286-2018-3-367

Contents
- Chapter Expand | CollapseAuthorsPage
- 269–270 Titelei/Inhaltsverzeichnis 269–270
- 271–272 EDITORIAL: SPECIAL ISSUE „THE INDIAN SUPREME COURT IN CRISIS?” 271–272
- 273–366 Abhandlungen / Articles 273–366
  - 273–289 From Executive Appointment to the Collegium System: The Impact on Diversity in the Indian Supreme Court Aparna Chandra, William Hubbard, Sital Kalantry Aparna Chandra, William Hubbard, Sital Kalantry 273–289
  - 290–331 Institution Matters: A Critical Analysis of the Role of the Supreme Court of India and the Responsibilities of the Chief Justice Jahnavi Sindhu, Vikram Aditya Narayan Jahnavi Sindhu, Vikram Aditya Narayan 290–331
  - 332–351 Parochialism in Indian constitutional reasoning: The case of religious freedom Mathew John Mathew John 332–351
  - 352–366 Pathways of Political Narratives: Populist Rhetoric, the Supreme Court and the (Im)balance of Power Mouli Banerjee Mouli Banerjee 352–366
- 367–395 Berichte / Reports 367–395
  - 367–380 Transformative Constitutionalism, Constitutional Morality and Equality: The Indian Supreme Court on Section 377 Kanad Bagchi Kanad Bagchi 367–380
  - 381–391 Debate, Discourse and Dilemma: Putting Dr. Subhash Kashinath Mahajan vs State of Maharashtra in Context Ayan Guha, Neha Chauhan Ayan Guha, Neha Chauhan 381–391
  - 392–395 Workshop Report: Shaping Law. Shaping Gender – Experiences from India, 11th till 13th October 2018, Berlin Tanja Herklotz, Siddharth Peter de Souza Tanja Herklotz, Siddharth Peter de Souza 392–395
- 396–403 Buchbesprechungen / Book Reviews 396–403
  - 396–400 George H. Gadbois, Jr.: Supreme Court of India, The Beginnings Medha Srivastava Medha Srivastava 396–400
  - 401–403 Anna Krueger, Die Bindung der Dritten Welt an das Postkoloniale Völkerrecht. Die Völkerrechtskommission, das Recht der Verträge und das Recht der Staatennachfolge in der Dekolonialisierung Felix Lange Felix Lange 401–403
- 404–412 Bibliographie / Bibliography 404–412
  - 404–404 RECHT UND ENTWICKLUNG ALLGEMEIN / LAW AND DEVELOPMENT IN GENERAL 404–404
  - 404–406 AFRIKA /AFRICA 404–406
  - 406–408 ASIEN /ASIA 406–408
  - 408–409 LATEINAMERIKA / LATIN AMERICA 408–409
  - 410–412 NAHER UND MITTLERER OSTEN / NEAR AND MIDDLE EAST 410–412
- 413–413 Call for Papers 413–413
- 414–414 Impressum 414–414
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VRÜ Verfassung und Recht in Übersee , page 367 - 380

Transformative Constitutionalism, Constitutional Morality and Equality: The Indian Supreme Court on Section 377

Autoren

Kanad Bagchi

DOI
- doi.org/10.5771/0506-7286-2018-3-367
- ISSN: 0506-7286
- ISSN online: 2941-9603
Abstract

What role does the Indian Constitution play towards the emancipation of the society’s most marginalized and excluded? What vision does the Constitution espouse with respect to basic fundamental rights and freedoms? And what conception of inclusion and pluralism does the Constitution pursue in a society that remains deeply divided and disjointed? All these searching questions came to form a distinct part of the decision of the Indian Supreme Court when it was called upon to rule on the constitutional validly of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Section 377, which for centuries created an atmosphere of criminalization, discrimination and disadvantage for LGBT+ peoples was declared unconstitutional to the extent that it prohibits consensual sexual acts between two adults, whether of a heterosexual or homosexual nature. Through 500 pages of judicial reasoning and four concurring opinions, the Court displayed an acute understanding of both the text and the spirit of the Indian Constitution. It understood that ‘transformation’ was at the heart and soul of the Constitution, which had the particular mandate of ushering far-reaching social change within the Indian society. This article brings out that focus and argues that through its decision the Court unleashed fully, the transformative potential of the Indian Constitution.
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