Justice and Sustainability in Indian Democracy: Tryst with Destiny

Offering a unique examination of India’s democratic political system by using the dual premises of justice and sustainability, this book argues that India's democratic trajectory – and the sustainability of democratic governance – depends on its capacity to deliver social, economic, and ecological justice to all citizens.India has a sustained record of democracy, unparalleled among postcolonial democracies, and is counted among the five largest economies in the world. Such successes, however, have been tempered by issues of inequity, resource depletion, and climate-induced displacement. Against this backdrop, the book posits that a mere procedural understanding of democracy is increasingly inadequate to address the challenges of growing inequality or climate disruption in India. The chapters in the volume explore how parties, identity politics, gender, education, economic, and foreign policies intersect with justice and sustainable goals, challenging technocratic accounts of sustainability that detach environment from society. In doing so, the book ultimately provides a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced, and strengths needed, to stabilize India’s democratic present, and to ensure its just and sustainable future.Ultimately through its exploration of the conceptual nexus between democracy, justice, and sustainability, this book will be of interest to academics and postgraduate students in the fields of South Asian politics, environmental politics, and studies of India, as well as those interested in issues of democracy, justice, and sustainability more broadly.

About the Author

Rekha Datta (Ph.D., University of Connecticut) is Professor of Political Science and the Freed Endowed Chair in Social Sciences at Monmouth University, where she recently served as Interim Provost. A Nehru-Fulbright scholar and affiliate faculty at the South Asia Center, University of Pennsylvania, Datta writes extensively on South Asian politics, gender, and global governance issues. Her forthcoming publications include Contemporary India: The Basics, Second Edition (2026). An award-winning educator, she also pioneers academic partnerships with the United Nations.

Zaad Mahmood (Ph.D., SOAS) is Professor of Political Science at Presidency University. His research focuses on labour, elections, and Indian political economy. Mahmood maintains affiliations with the University of Oxford and the University of Lisbon, having previously consulted for the United Nations University. He authored Globalization and Labour Reforms (2017) alongside Limits of Bargaining (2019). Currently, he serves as the Associate Editor for the Oxford Development Studies Journal.

Sanjeeb Mukherjee earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Jadavpur University. He focuses his research on political theory, Leftist politics in West Bengal, and art history. Over his career, Mukherjee has taught at the University of Calcutta and the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences. He frequently contributes to academic journals and regional newspapers. His recent scholarship includes chapters on postcolonial civil society, while his forthcoming book examines the artwork of Somnath Hore.