– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi: Brinda Karat, former MP and Polit Bureau member of CPI(M), has written to the Chief Justice of India, expressing deep concern over a public speech made by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of Allahabad High Court. Calling Justice Yadav a “disgrace” to the judicial system, Karat has demanded immediate action against him.
In her letter, Karat highlighted the alarming implications of Justice Yadav’s remarks, delivered during a VHP event. She argued that his statements undermine judicial impartiality and the constitutional values enshrined in India’s democracy.
“Judges take an oath to uphold the Constitution of India, yet Justice Yadav’s speech blatantly violates that oath and assaults the principles of the Constitution,” Karat wrote.
Describing the remarks as hate speech, Karat stated: “This speech affronts the collective conscience of a secular and democratic nation. That it was made by a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court is an assault on the very processes of justice. No litigant can expect impartiality from a court where a judge publicly expresses biased and prejudiced opinions against the minority community, advocating a majoritarian approach.”
Karat further described Justice Yadav as a disgrace to the judiciary and called for his removal, asserting that individuals with such views have no place in the judicial system.
Karat questioned the propriety of a senior judicial officer attending an event of such an organisation. “This raises serious concerns about judicial conduct and the code of ethics,” she said.
The VHP event addressed divisive issues like the Uniform Civil Code and the Waqf Board Amendment Bill, topics often used in communal campaigns. Karat emphasised that members of the judiciary should not publicly comment on matters sub-judice or politically contentious.
The former MP referred extensively to Justice Yadav’s speech at the VHP event in Allahabad on December 8, including:
– “This is Hindustan, and the country will function according to the wishes of the majority. This is the law. The welfare and happiness of the majority will prevail.”
– “Certain groups, harmful to the nation, must be guarded against. They are a threat to the country’s progress.”
– “In our culture, children are raised with values of non-violence, unlike others who witness animal slaughter and lack compassion.”
– “This land is defined by the cow, the Gita, and the Ganga. Every home has an idol of Harbala Devi, and every child is Ram.”
– “Your Hindu identity comes first. Swami Vivekananda believed only Hindus could make this country a global leader.”
Karat called these remarks an open endorsement of majoritarianism and prejudice, which are incompatible with judicial impartiality.
In short, Karat appealed to the CJI, stating that action against Justice Yadav would reaffirm the judiciary’s commitment to constitutional values. “The country would be grateful for decisive intervention from the highest court,” she concluded.
