Anagha P, School of Legal Studies, CUSAT
ABSTRACT
Societal notions perceive politics as a constant tussle for power. While governance is entrusted with a greater scale of societal commitment, federalism is a classic balance of autonomy, responsibility and unity. Against the ever-happening backdrop of politics and governance in India, this paper seeks to delve deeper into the concept of federalism reiterated through the Indian narrative. Federalism, secessionism, autocracy and the incessant cry for autonomy have all been various facets dominating the public sphere, rhetoric and mindsets of the citizens of the world’s largest democracy. We have lived through and are even now witnessing times when parochial viewpoints are celebrated and crude autocracy worshipped. The breakaway must be from unfair clamp down or denial of the mandate given by people to ensure that the manipulation of democratic ideals is brought to an end. Through conflicts and compromises, at the end of the day, it is humbly proposed that federalism must be the tool for incentivised and an inclusive development saga in the country, rather than being a double-edged sword used for satiating the power thirst of a powerful few.
