Decolonizing criminal law in India

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

15 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This chapter engages with the particularities of colonization and its relationship with criminal law in India, to conceptualize decolonization of criminal law for India. The British Empire used criminal law to control and subjugate the bodies and collective movements of Indians. Criminal law, processes, and penal institutions in independent India continue to be used to control and subjugate the bodies and collective movements of Dalits, Adivasis (Indigenous peoples), as well as gender, religious, and political subalterns. Decolonization of criminal law must mean the dismantling of criminal law so that it no longer oppresses and dominates subalterns. The chapter questions whether we should continue to use the language of ‘decolonization’ in the Indian context, given that it is often used to perpetuate subjugation of subalterns under Hindutva or Hindu nationalism.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Routledge International Handbook on Decolonizing Justice
EditorsChris Cunneen, Antje Deckert, Amanda Porter, Juan Tauri, Robert Webb
Place of PublicationLondon; New York
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter36
Pages391-401
Number of pages11
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9781003176619
ISBN (Print)9781032009773 , 9781032009797
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Jul 2023

Publication series

NameRoutledge International Handbooks
PublisherRoutledge

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Decolonizing criminal law in India'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this