Hyderabad: Asaduddin Owaisi, Hyderabad MP and President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has ignited a public debate with his pointed remark, “Sab ‘BeNaqab’ ho raha hain” (Everyone’s mask is coming off), in response to the participation of former Supreme Court judge, Justice Hemant Gupta, in a “Judges Meet” event organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Owaisi shared his criticism on X after The News Minute reported on the event held on September 8, where Justice Gupta and at least 30 other retired judges from the Supreme Court and various High Courts were present, reported the Vartha Bharati.
The meeting, hosted by the legal wing of the VHP in New Delhi, reportedly focused on issues closely aligned with Hindutva groups, including the status of the Varanasi and Mathura temples, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, and concerns surrounding religious conversions.
Owaisi’s remarks have drawn attention particularly because of Justice Gupta’s past involvement in high-profile cases, most notably his decision to uphold the Karnataka High Court’s verdict in the controversial Hijab ban case. Justice Gupta had ruled that wearing the hijab was not an “essential religious practice” under Article 25 of the Constitution, leading to a split verdict in the Supreme Court. The case was referred to a larger bench, and the matter remains unresolved.
Responding to the criticism, Justice Gupta defended his participation in the VHP event, asserting his rights as a retired judge and citizen of India. “I have the liberty to associate with platforms and forums to discuss and deliberate upon current issues and topics as any other citizen of the country,” he told The Quint. He clarified that his attendance was intended to engage in discussions on “current events and affairs.”
Justice Gupta’s judicial career has been marked by several controversial rulings. In addition to the Hijab case, he was involved in a split verdict on the use of Eidgah Maidan in Bengaluru for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in 2022, which was also referred to a larger bench. His 2020 ruling that caste-based slurs made in private do not constitute a punishable offense under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act also sparked significant debate.
After retiring from the Supreme Court, Justice Gupta was appointed as the Chairperson of the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC) by the central government, just two months after stepping down from the bench.
