The decade of 1990s saw the debate surrounding the contraction of public distribution system (PDS) in India where economists and social scientists of various camps (in relation to their stands vis-à-vis the International Monetary Fund and World Bank policies) expressed their viewpoints in various journals, seminars and public meetings. It must be pointed out that political ideologies played a crucial role in determining the fate of Indian agriculture. The important areas which were touched during these discourses were: what one means by food adequate, level of malnutrition, role of State and market in food allocation and distribution, impact of trade liberalization on the Indian food market (including producers, sellers and consumers) etc. To summarize such a rich and enlightening discussion in a few words would be both difficult and impossible. However, certain elements could be pulled out and pondered upon to understand the politics of rights-based approach to food security.