Author
Dr Harunrashid Kadri
Organisation/Institution
Narhar Balwant Thakur Law College
Country
INDIA
Panel
Constitutional and Admin Law
Title
Abuse of Powers by the Governors in India: Key Issues, Democratic Challenges, and Pathways for Reform
Abstract
The Constitution of India vests the Governor with significant discretionary powers intended to safeguard federalism and ensure constitutional governance. However, in practice, the Governor’s role has often been criticised for perceived partisanship and excessive alignment with the Union Government, resulting in recurrent Centre–State tensions. Recent judicial interventions—particularly the Supreme Court’s ruling that indefinite withholding of duly passed legislative bills is unconstitutional—have reignited debates on the limits of gubernatorial authority. Although the judgment reinforces democratic accountability, it has simultaneously drawn criticism for allegedly encroaching upon the executive sphere. This paper critically examines the constitutional position, powers, and limitations of the Governor, analysing structural, political, and institutional factors that undermine gubernatorial neutrality. It further explores mechanisms—legal, procedural, and institutional—through which the independence, accountability, and constitutional fidelity of Governors may be strengthened, ensuring that their actions align with constitutional norms rather than political directives from the Union Government.
Biography
Prof. (Dr.) Harunrashid A. Kadri Professor of Law & Principal G E Society's N. B. Thakur Law College, Nashik, Maharashtra. India. Dr Harunrashid A. Kadri is a Professor of Law and Principal at G. E. Society's N. B. Thakur Law College, Nashik, Maharashtra. Currently, he is a member of the Association of Asian Constitutional Law Studies, Singapore. He has 25 years of experience teaching at the UG/PG level. He has obtained his PhD in Patent Law from Osmania University, Hyderabad and has published a multitude of articles on IPR and other topics in internationally reputed journals. Some of his articles are also published in the journals listed in SCOPUS and have earned a very good citation index. He has done a Minor Research Project of SPPU as the Principal Investigator. He participated in and presented research papers at National and International Conferences in India and abroad, mainly in Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong, etc. He has also organised National and State Level Conferences. He has delivered more than 100 lectures as a Resource Person for many nationally reputed institutions, including Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, School of Law, Symbiosis International University, Pune, Dr B. A. Marathwada University, Aurangabad, S.R.T. Marathwada University, Nanded, Osmania University, Hyderabad and also for HRDC Academic Staff Colleges in India.
