This essay critically examines the intertwined dynamics of space, power, and knowledge in Indian urban design practice, with a particular focus on the politics of exclusion and inequality. Through a review of colonial planning legacies, shifting governance frameworks, and contemporary policies, the essay explores how hierarchical power structures and top-down approaches perpetuate marginalisation, especially in contexts like Dharavi, Mumbai. Using participatory planning case studies, it highlights both the challenges and transformative potential of meaningful citizen involvement, advocating for democratised, context-specific processes that empower marginalised stakeholders and foster more inclusive urban futures.