In a notable development on December 9, 2024, the All India Lawyers Union (AILU) called for disciplinary measures against Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court following his controversial remarks at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) event. The Union’s grievance centers on comments that allegedly propagate majoritarian views and disparage the Muslim community, leading to charges of hate speech.
During his address, Justice Yadav endorsed the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code and lauded efforts by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), criticizing practices like polygamy, triple talaq, and Halala. His statement that “India will run as per the wishes of the majority community” has sparked significant backlash, with critics arguing that such views compromise the secular and independent nature of the judiciary.
The letter from AILU, signed by notable figures including its president, Rajya Sabha MP Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya, and P.V. Surendranath, described the judge’s speech as a “direct affront” to the Constitution and its foundational value of secularism. The letter also questioned the effectiveness of the Collegium system in vetting and disciplining judges, suggesting the need for a more autonomous appointment mechanism.
Responses to Justice Yadav’s speech extended beyond the legal community. Asaduddin Owaisi, leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), criticized the judge’s presence at a VHP event, pointing to the organization’s contentious history. Owaisi emphasized the constitutional expectation of judicial independence and urged a recommitment to impartial decision-making.
Similarly, Brinda Karat of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) penned a letter to the Chief Justice of India, decrying the speech as an “assault on the Constitution” and an affront to India’s secular democracy. Karat argued that no litigant could expect fair judgment from a judge with publicly declared biases.
