Shareholder Activism in India : Analysis of Shareholders’ Exercise of Their Corporate Franchise in General Meetings

The Indian corporate landscape is witnessing a sharp increase in the number of cases revolving around shareholder activism wherein activist investors are no longer content to merely being passive owners and are exercising their will by virtue of their voting rights in general meetings. This paper examines the legal and regulatory framework governing shareholder activism as well as the application of the same in light of recent notable instances such as Zee-Invesco debacle. While the activist shareholders are trying hard to make their voices heard, the paper analyzes whether the practices undertaken by them assume the character of prudence or policing. It highlights the problems prevalent in Indian boardrooms and advocates for the need to foster shareholder democracy