Hyderabad: Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy said economic democracy must accompany political democracy to realise the full promise of the Constitution in India.
He spoke at the inaugural session of a two-day national seminar on “Economic Reforms and the Indian Constitution: Conflict, Contradictions and Ways Forward.” Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University organised the event in collaboration with a government degree college in Chanchalguda as part of Social Empowerment Week.
Justice Reddy said B. R. Ambedkar was not only the architect of the Constitution but also a trained economist. He added that the Constitution reflected socialist principles, particularly through its emphasis on equality and justice.
Referring to the Karachi Resolution, he said it laid the foundation for socio-economic rights in India. He also cited land reforms, including the abolition of the zamindari system, as significant steps toward reducing inequality.
At the same time, he cautioned against emerging authoritarian tendencies. He said such trends could undermine democratic values if not addressed within constitutional frameworks.
Economic democracy India concerns over inequality and education
Ghanta Chakrapani, Vice-Chancellor of BRAOU, raised concerns over declining public funding in higher education. He said the rapid expansion of private universities required closer scrutiny to protect institutional values.
He stressed the need to strengthen public education systems. According to him, unchecked market forces could affect access and equity in higher education.
Prabhat Patnaik, keynote speaker and Professor Emeritus at Jawaharlal Nehru University, highlighted the role of state intervention in ensuring public welfare. He argued that economic democracy India required redistribution measures such as wealth and inheritance taxes.
He warned that rising inequality and concentration of wealth among the top one percent posed structural challenges. He said stronger policy measures were necessary to address these imbalances.
Academic Director Pushpa Chakrapani said social and economic justice remained relevant in the post-1991 reform period. She added that policy frameworks must align with constitutional commitments.
The seminar brought together academicians, researchers and policymakers to examine the relationship between economic reforms and constitutional principles. Discussions focused on ensuring inclusive growth while maintaining institutional safeguards.