Constitution expert Subhash Kashyap dies at 97

NEW DELHI: Subhash C Kashyap, whose encyclopaedic knowledge of constitutional law and parliamentary affairs made him the go-to person for politicians, bureaucrats and journalists alike, and whose book on parliament became best-sellers and mandatory reading for students of political science and law, passed away at his residence following “cardio-pulmonary arrest” on Thursday morning. He was 97.Kashyap served as Lok Sabha’s Secretary General from 1984-90, but was associated with Parliament for over three and a half decades. “Be it privilege motions, anti-defection law, impeachment, expelling or disciplining members, he was the person everyone consulted whenever there was a dispute related to parliamentary procedure,” said former Prasar Bharti Chairman, A Surya Prakash, who as a journalist reported extensively on Parliament.Born in May 1929 in Chandpur village in United Provinces' (now Uttar Pradesh) Bijnor district, Kashyap came from a family of freedom fighters. As a teenager, he actively participated in the national struggle for independence leading local student movements in Bijnor and Meerut, a biographical note said. Kashyap received higher education in Allahabad, New Delhi, Washington DC and London. He launched his professional career as a journalist, taught at University of Allahabad, and trained as an advocate in the same city before joining Parliament.“He was approached for advice by members of the ruling party as well as the Opposition. He was accessible and helpful to all. Many media persons would consult him whenever there was a crisis in Parliament regarding procedure -- an adjournment motion, a privilege motion or a no-confidence motion,” said Surya Prakash.A prolific author and a Padma Bhushan recipient, he wrote the magisterial six volume set, ‘History of the Parliament of India’. Some of his other books are: ‘The Ten Lok Sabhas’, ‘Our Constitution’, ‘Our Parliament’, ‘Parliament of India – Myths and Realities’, ‘State of the Nation: Democracy, Governance and Parliament.’ “Prof Kashyap was a scholar first, and a fiercely independent one. In the pre-internet 1980s, JNU students would look forward to his compilations of various policy documents. His books were a treasure,” said D Shyam Babu of Centre for Policy Research, an institution Kashyap was once associated with.VK Bhatnagar, a close associate, said that at the request of (then) vice-president Jagdish Dhankar, the multi-faceted scholar had agreed to pen his autobiography which would be published in the near future.Kashyap was also an institution builder. He helped shape Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies, rejuvenated Lok Sabha’s Library, Reference, Research, Documentation and Information Service (LARRDIS) and Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training.President Draupadi Murmu condoled Kashyap’s demise. “Through his scholarship and insight, he enriched the study of our Constitution and the evolution of our parliamentary system,” she posted on X.Describing Kashyap as “a living encyclopedia of the Indian constitution and parliamentary system,” Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla said his passing was “a profound loss for Indian parliamentary democracy, constitutional discourse, and public life.”