Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Federalism—A Multifaceted Concept

India Practices Accidental Federalism: Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi

Discussing India's humungous constitution and its diversity, Dr Singhvi emphasised on the need of a new federal and cooperative structure for the country's bright future.

India is a train that no one wants to miss globally, especially in terms of being the largest and diverse country across the world. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Senior third term sitting MP; former Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee; former Additional Solicitor General, India; Senior National Spokesperson, Congress and Eminent Jurist, during BW Legal 40 Under 40 Best Lawyers and Legal Influencers Dialogue organised by BW Legal World, says, “India is planet earth’s most diverse spot in terms of religions, ethnicity, foods, purchasing power, diseases, races and diversity. It has 22 scheduled languages, 700 mother tongues, 2000 dialects and it is the third-largest of the world's population in terms of religions and all this cannot be avoided.”

India has survived unanimously due to its stellar leaders   

Dr Singhvi further reasoning the good luck of India, says that despite witnessing several historical destructive incidents, India has still survived unanimously due to its stellar leaders. “The reason for our good luck is because we had Gandhi, world’s most non-violent agitational person; the much-maligned, Nehru who had lots of faults but yet was true to his democratic spirit.” While the country’s vital institutional pillars including CAG, parliament, election commission, the army and several other institutional and federalist structures are vehicles to manage its diversity, adds Dr Singhvi.  

The Indian Constitution is a miracle of mankind

Highlighting the largest migration between India and Pakistan, Dr Singhvi says, “Surviving a 3.5 crore partition violence and bloodshed, a constitution like this, is a miracle of mankind.” He defines that our country's constitution is designed largely as a unitary system.”  Dr Singhvi during his address specifically defined Article 356 of the Indian Constitution as the strongest part. He further states that India’s story from 1950-2020 is fascinating. Singhvi says that India practices unintended and accidental federalism. "While the states practice the three-language formula which has stood the test of time, it is an amazing way of handling the diversity and is an antithesis," says Dr Singhvi.  

India dealt with historical socio-economic incidents during 90s

India, as a country during its 90s, has dealt with some historical incidents including devolution of finances and functionaries, empowerment and enrichment of rural population, economic liberalisation, de-licensing, labour liberalisation and economic liberalisation, which is commendable, says Dr Singhvi.  

Further discussing the drawbacks of the country, he highlights, "The recent non-payment Rs 2.35 lakh crores from Centre to the states in the form of GST, is a betrayal. However, to deal with the current crisis, our country requires a new-federal and cooperative structure, which is balanced, harmonised and consciously taken forward".  

Our attitude needs to have more gratitude in the current chaotic times

Discussing the last six months, Dr Singhvi says that it has been difficult including shrinking of income, the number of cases that are being argued, commercial litigations, all this has added on to the chaos. He says that our attitude needs to have more gratitude. “We need to have more time to do things better and value the idea of minimalism and rule of 30 wherein we try to organise effectively 30 items in our lives. We all need to start valuing things around us, “ says Dr Singhvi.  

Dr Singhvi has been a part of some of the most important judgements during his tenure and is also the ferocious spokesman of Congress Party.