Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala is a landmark case in the history of Indian constitutional law. The case was heard by a bench of 13 judges of the Supreme Court of India in 1973, and it resulted in a historic verdict that has had far-reaching implications for the interpretation and application of the Indian Constitution.
The case arose from a dispute over the Kerala government's attempt to implement land reforms legislation that would have had the effect of taking over certain properties belonging to religious institutions. The petitioner, Kesavananda Bharati, was the head of a Hindu religious institution that was affected by the legislation, and he challenged its constitutionality on the grounds that it violated the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.
The case gave rise to a number of complex legal issues, including the scope of the amending power of the Indian Parliament, the relationship between fundamental rights and the powers of the state, and the role of the judiciary in interpreting and enforcing the Constitution.
The Supreme Court ultimately held that the amending power of the Indian Parliament was not unlimited, and that there were certain "basic features" of the Constitution that could not be amended. These basic features included the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law, the fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens, and the independence of the judiciary. The court also held that the Constitution was a living document that must be interpreted in the light of changing circumstances and evolving societal values.
The decision in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala has had a profound impact on Indian constitutional law, and it has been cited in numerous subsequent cases to support a wide range of legal arguments. It has also been praised as a landmark decision that reaffirmed the importance of the rule of law and constitutionalism in India.