Justice as Dharma: Reclaiming Bharat's Ontological and Ethical Legacy

Abstract

This study interrogates the evolution of justice from its indigenous Dharma-centric framework in pre-colonial Bharat to the adversarial, codified systems imposed during colonial rule. Dharma, as articulated in the Bhagavad Gita, Manusmriti, and Arthashastra, represents a holistic and relational approach to justice, rooted in ethical action, societal harmony, and cosmic order. Colonial legal systems fragmented this intricate worldview, reducing justice to positivist legality devoid of ethical depth. This paper juxtaposes the insights of Indic traditions with contemporary critiques from thinkers like Derrida and Deleuze, reclaiming Dharma as a pluralistic and adaptive justice model. By integrating postcolonial theory and indigenous epistemologies, the study critiques colonial ruptures and positions Dharma as a globally resonant framework, capable of addressing contemporary challenges such as systemic inequities, ecological degradation, and fractured societal relationships.