Sanjeev Sanyal’s Explosive Speech: “Judiciary Biggest Hurdle to India’s Growth Story”

New Delhi: Eminent economist and Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, Sanjeev Sanyal, has sparked a nationwide debate after his hard-hitting speech on India’s judicial and legal system went viral on social media. Addressing a gathering that included Justice Ankhaj Mittal and senior members of the General Council of India, Sanyal said that while India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy and set to become the third largest within 24 months, its biggest challenge is not infrastructure or demographics, but the judicial system itself.

“Legal system is the single biggest hurdle”

Sanyal bluntly stated that judicial delays and contract enforcement failures are now the “single biggest hurdle” in India’s journey towards becoming Viksit Bharat. He warned that unless a major overhaul is carried out, India’s demographic window of 20–25 years will be wasted, just as Japan and Europe lost momentum after their growth periods.

The “99-1 problem” in rules & regulations

He explained how the weakness of the legal system forces policymakers to draft excessively complex laws:

“99% of rules and regulations exist only to prevent the misuse by 1%. In a functioning system, that 1% should be resolved by the courts. But because we know it won’t, the entire system becomes over-regulated.”

Mandatory mediation “a failed experiment”

Sanyal strongly criticised the mandatory pre-litigation mediation introduced under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015. Citing data from Mumbai’s commercial courts, he said that 98–99% of such mediations fail, adding six months of delay while still ending up in courts:

“Mediation is good, but making it compulsory is disastrous. It only adds cost and time without solving the core issue.”

Colonial hangovers & cultural change

The economist also took aim at courtroom practices rooted in colonial times:

• Lawyers addressing judges as “My Lord”

• Petitions called a “Prayer”

• Long summer and winter court vacations

He argued that such customs are unacceptable in a modern democracy:

“We are all citizens of the same republic. One citizen should not have to call another ‘My Lord’ or pray to them.”

“Medieval guild” and legal hierarchy

Sanyal questioned the existing stratification within the legal profession — senior advocates, advocates-on-record, and special designations — calling it a “medieval guild system” that blocks talent and innovation. He suggested that in the age of AI, even non-lawyers should be allowed to argue cases if they can follow due process.

Call for urgent reforms

The fiery speech ended with a passionate appeal:

“We as a people have about 20–25 years to make it. The legal profession must pull up its socks. Nobody else will do it. It is between you and me — we are on the same ship.”

Social Media Reaction

Within hours, clips of his speech began trending across platforms. Hashtags like #SanjeevSanyal #JudicialReforms #ViksitBharat flooded X (formerly Twitter), with many praising him for saying openly what others discuss only in closed circles. Commentators described him as an “overnight superstar” for daring to take on India’s most powerful institution.

Who is Sanjeev Sanyal

Sanjeev Sanyal is an Indian economist, author, and urban theorist renowned for his contributions to economic policy and historical analysis. Born on August 27, 1970, in Kolkata, West Bengal, he hails from a family with a significant legacy in India’s freedom struggle. His great-grandfather, Nalinaksha Sanyal, was the Chief Whip of the Congress Party in the provincial assembly of undivided Bengal and a vocal opponent of colonial policies during the Bengal Famine of 1943. His grand-uncle, Sachindra Nath Sanyal, was a leading revolutionary figure who mentored Chandra Shekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh

Early Life and Education

Raised in Kolkata, Sanyal completed his schooling at St. Xavier’s School and St. James’ School. He pursued his undergraduate studies in economics at Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University. Furthering his education, he attended St John’s College, Oxford University, where he earned a BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) in 1992. He continued his academic journey at Oxford, obtaining an MSc in Economics in 1994.

Professional Career

Sanyal’s career spans academia, finance, and public policy. He began his professional journey in the financial sector, working at Deutsche Bank, where he gained extensive experience in global financial markets. Transitioning into public service, he has held significant positions, including Principal Economic Advisor in the Ministry of Finance from 2017 to 2022. In February 2022, he was appointed as a full-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India.

Literary Contributions

An accomplished author, Sanyal has written several books that explore India’s history and geography. His notable works include The Indian Renaissance: India’s Rise After a Thousand Years of Decline and Land of the Seven Rivers: A Brief History of India’s Geography. His book Revolutionaries: The Other Story of How India Won its Freedom won the Best Non-fiction Book Award in English at the Kalinga Literary Festival in 2022.

Personal Life

Sanyal is married to Smita Barooah, an Assamese writer, mental health therapist, and photographer. The couple resides in Delhi. Together, they have two sons. Their elder son, Dhruv Sanyal, has pursued a career in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and has represented India at international competitions. The younger son’s details remain private, as the family maintains a relatively low public profile.

Legacy and Recognition

Throughout his career, Sanyal has been recognized for his contributions to economic policy and public service. In 2023, he was awarded the KPS Menon Memorial Award for his work in economic policy-making. Sanyal’s unique blend of economic expertise, historical insight, and policy experience continues to influence India’s trajectory in the global arena.