Saurabh Kirpal’s Who is equal? is a compelling work that addresses the widespread inequalities in India, despite the constitutional guarantee of the right to equality introduced 75 years ago. India is divided along caste, religion, gender and sexuality lines, among others. Kirpal’s book examines how the right to equality has affected the lives of citizens in various areas, including employment, education, marriage and the economy. From the philosophical and historical development of this right to its modern application by the courts, Who is equal? provides a comprehensive overview of the legal situation in the country.
Kirpal presents this complex subject using non-legal language, data, and personal anecdotes, making the book an easy-to-understand guide to developments in anti-discrimination law and the role of the courts in upholding, or failing to uphold, the promise of the Constitution. The book discusses the law as it exists on paper and how its unequal application affects people’s lives.
After studying physics at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, Saurabh Kirpal studied law at Oxford University and obtained a Masters in Law from Cambridge University. He worked briefly for the United Nations in Geneva before returning to Delhi, where he practised in the Supreme Court and the High Court.
Published 11 August 2024, 03:22 IS
