Palkhivala, the legend and the man

Vishavjeet Chaudhary

Nani Palkhivala is widely recognised as one of the finest lawyers of our times. His razor-sharp intellect and his contribution to the landscape of jurisprudence, in India and around the world is truly extraordinary. This book, a special release commemorating Palhivala’s birth centenary year, is an addition to a number of other publications.

The most outstanding feature of the book is its content. A lot has been written by the late Palkhivala himself. Even more has been written on and about him. However, this book captures the uncollected essays and brings them to print. There are a number of facets of his beliefs, legal thinking and personal life that are brought to the fore in this book. Many essays about him are also published, capturing what was written about him. 

The second unique and remarkable thing about this book is its layout. It is arranged in terms of the area of discussion which makes it quite a helpful reference book as well as a thematic-based work. For instance, there are chapters on, ‘Tax and Economics’ ‘Indian Democracy,’ and ‘The Constitution and the Common Man.’All these chapters present an interesting, unique and multidimensional insight into these areas, using the works of Palkhivala as pivots of discussion. Other imminent commentators, as well as jurists are also quoted to bind the themes into a coherent narrative on discrete topics. 

Interestingly, the book is timely yet timeless. It’s timeless owing to the discussion of a number of topics that are as relevant today as they were in the last century, and timely because many of the areas are central issues of discussion today. 

For instance, the chapter ‘Defending the Supreme Court of India’ touches on debates that are ongoing even today — about various institutions in our democratic set up and how their constitutional status should be seen and preserved. What is captured in the book is as true today and can certainly be used in looking at the problems that we are grappling within the judiciary, the economy and the democracy. 

There is a special chapter by T.S. Gopal that narrates gripping anecdotes and speeches by Palkhivala. It presents a rare insight into his personal life as well. The chapter on ‘Criticisms and Defence’ on Palkhivala’s conduct is equally interesting and telling. The chapter also helps in drawing a complete picture by engaging with criticisms levelled against Palhivala and some defences. For instance, the criticism against him for returning Mrs Indira Gandhi’s brief is analysed. 

Overall, the narrative is succinct as well as crisp. Since each chapter discusses a topic in its entirety, it’s easy to get into the book, even for short periods. The book, though written by a lawyer, consciously diverts itself from legal jargon. The reader is spared some details that might only be of interest to a lawyer. Whilst it might be of primary interest to all lawyers and students of law, it also successfully caters to a wider audience as areas of law that touch our everyday lives (like tax, fundamental rights, and democratic institutions). 

Overall, the book is certainly recommended for both lawyers and non lawyers. To borrow from the legendary Palkhivala himself  “Education is at the heart of the matter. Literacy is not enough. It is good to have a population which is able to read; but infinitely better to have people able to distinguish what is worth reading.” This one is most certainly worth reading.