In a significant lecture on “Constitutionalism beyond rights: Why structure matters” at Chanakya National Law University, Supreme Court Justice BV Nagarathna issued a powerful reminder to the Centre: states are not “subordinates” to be commanded, but co-equal partners in India’s constitutional framework. She argued that the Centre cannot discriminate against states ruled by opposition parties, nor allow ideological differences to poison federal relations. “Inter-party differences or distinct political ideologies have to be kept aside in the matter of Centre-state relations,” she asserted. Justice Nagarathna, who is in line to become Chief Justice of India in early 2027, emphasised that India’s unique character—neither purely unitary nor purely federal—requires treating........

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