Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna has cautioned that the rising number of legal disputes between the Centre and states is threatening India's constitutional design. In a lecture at Chanakya National Law University, Justice Nagarathna stressed the importance of dialogue and negotiation over litigation in a 'mature federation.'
She warned that the growing tendency of governments to rush to courts reflects deeper structural concerns and creates a dent in constitutional governance. Justice Nagarathna also emphasized the need for the Union government to view states as equals, rather than subordinates, and to maintain federal equilibrium.
The judge's remarks come at a time when the Supreme Court is increasingly being drawn into Centre-State and inter-governmental disputes, including a clutch of petitions challenging the Election Commission's special intensive revision of electoral rolls and a high-stakes petition against the West Bengal government.
Justice Nagarathna's lecture also touched upon the importance of institutional integrity and constitutional morality, noting that governance structures derive legitimacy from adherence to constitutional values. She stressed that the judiciary, legislature, and executive must operate within their defined spheres while respecting the roles of one another.
