Prashant Bhushan
Encyclopedia
Prashant Bhushan (born 1956) is an advocate practicing in Delhi and is a social activist. He is the son of lawyer and former Law Minister of India Shanti Bhushan
.
but left after a semester. He subsequently studied economics and philosophy at Princeton University
but left and returned to India where he received a law degree from Allahabad University
.
He, along with Arvind Kejriwal
, is involved in the Anna Hazare
-led anti corruption movement in India.
He was a member of the joint committee constituted in April 2011 by India to draft the Lokpal Bill. He, along with other members of Team Anna, clashed with government ministers on the bill. He described the Lokpal Bill introduced in parliament as a corruption bill because it contained harsh punishment for whistleblowers and protected the corrupt. Indian parliament has issued him a notice of breach of privilege for his remarks against the Parliament and parliamentarians which he denied.
On 12 October 2011, Bhushan was attacked and beaten up by Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena and Shri Ram Sena activists for his view that the Indian army should be withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir
,
and if the Kashmiri people
did not want to live in India, they should be permitted to vote for separation in a plebescite. Bhushan described the activists as having a "fascist mindset" and stood by his statements. The Shiv Sena
called for Bhushan to be tried for his statements about Kashmir.
Shanti Bhushan
Shanti Bhushan in Allahabad, United Provinces is a former Law Minister of India at Ministry of Law and Justice in the Morarji Desai Ministry and also a senior advocate...
.
Education
Bhushan studied mechanical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology MadrasIndian Institute of Technology Madras
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras is an engineering and technology school in Chennai in southern India. It is recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India...
but left after a semester. He subsequently studied economics and philosophy at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
but left and returned to India where he received a law degree from Allahabad University
Allahabad University
Allahabad University , is a premier Central University located in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Its origins lie in the Muir Central College, named after Lt...
.
Activism
He is a social activist. In his career of 15 years he has worked on around 500 PILs. He is a strong supporter of a Clean Judiciary.He, along with Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kumar Kejriwal is an Indian social activist fighting for greater transparency in Government. He was awarded Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership in 2006, for activating India's Right to Information movement at grassroots and social activities to empower the poorest citizens to...
, is involved in the Anna Hazare
Anna Hazare
Kisan Baburao Hazare , popularly known as Anna Hazare is an Indian social activist and a prominent leader in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi...
-led anti corruption movement in India.
He was a member of the joint committee constituted in April 2011 by India to draft the Lokpal Bill. He, along with other members of Team Anna, clashed with government ministers on the bill. He described the Lokpal Bill introduced in parliament as a corruption bill because it contained harsh punishment for whistleblowers and protected the corrupt. Indian parliament has issued him a notice of breach of privilege for his remarks against the Parliament and parliamentarians which he denied.
On 12 October 2011, Bhushan was attacked and beaten up by Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena and Shri Ram Sena activists for his view that the Indian army should be withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It is situated mostly in the Himalayan mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south and internationally with the People's Republic of China to the north and east and the...
,
and if the Kashmiri people
Kashmiri people
The Kashmiri people are a Dardic linguistic group living in Kashmir Valley in Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and parts of the Pakistani territory of Azad Kashmir who speak the Kashmiri language...
did not want to live in India, they should be permitted to vote for separation in a plebescite. Bhushan described the activists as having a "fascist mindset" and stood by his statements. The Shiv Sena
Shiv Sena
Shiv Sena , is a political party in India founded on 19 June 1966 by Balasaheb Thackeray. It is currently headed by Thackeray's son, Uddhav Thackeray...
called for Bhushan to be tried for his statements about Kashmir.
Interviews
- Conversation with Prashant Bhushan - Bar & Bench - 25th Oct 2010
- No one wants independent investigation - Frontline - 14th Aug 2010
- Half Of The Last 16 Chief Justices Were Corrupt - Tehelka - 5th Sept 2009
- We have had many corrupt CJIs in the last 15 years - Tehelka - 24th Nov 2006