{"product_id":"these-seats-are-reserved-abhinav-chandrachud-9780143472377","title":"These Seats Are Reserved: Caste, Quotas and the Constitution of India","description":"\u003cp\u003eReservation or affirmative action is a hugely controversial policy in India. While constitutionally mandated and with historians, political scientists and social activists convinced of its need, many resist it and consider it as compromising 'merit' and against the principle of equality of opportunity. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThese Seats Are Reserved, \u003c\/i\u003e Abhinav traces the history and making of the reservation policy. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHow were groups eligible for reservations identified and defined? How were the terms 'depressed classes' and 'backward classes' used in British India and how have they evolved into the constitutional concepts of 'Scheduled Castes', 'Scheduled Tribes', and 'Other Backward Classes' in the present day? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe book delves into the intellectual debates that took place on this matter in the Constituent Assembly, the Supreme Court and Parliament. Several contentious issues are examined dispassionately: are reservations an exception to the principle of equality of opportunity? Do quotas in government service undermine efficiency? Can 'merit' really be defined neutrally? What is the thinking behind the rule that no more than 50 per cent of the available seats or positions can be reserved? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDeeply researched and ably narrated, this volume is a compelling addition to every thinking individual's library.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Abhinav Chandrachud\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0143472372\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780143472377\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e India Penguin\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/19\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 272\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback","brand":"Abhinav Chandrachud","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":47965715169535,"sku":"9780143472377","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_5a6c4578-d85c-4449-a1bb-248bea6b57e3.jpg?v=1767284308","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/these-seats-are-reserved-abhinav-chandrachud-9780143472377","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}