Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court made a bold statement at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) event, asserting that India should be governed according to the majority’s wishes. The judge’s comments came during a discussion on the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), where he emphasized the need for a singular legal framework across the nation.
Justice Yadav criticized practices such as polygamy, triple talaq, and Halala, suggesting they were antiquated and inconsistent with modern values. He pointed out that the Hindu community does not impose its religious practices on others but expects respect for its culture and traditions in return.
During his speech, Justice Yadav highlighted the importance of teaching tolerance and kindness from a young age, questioning how children exposed to animal slaughter could learn these values. His remarks extended to respect for women, referencing Hindu scriptures that revere women as goddesses, and criticized practices that demean women.
The judge also recalled the Shah Bano case, where the Supreme Court ruled in favor of maintenance for a divorced Muslim woman, only for the then government to pass legislation that contradicted the Supreme Court’s decision. He argued that the support for UCC transcends religious lines, noting that the country’s highest court also backs the proposal.
Justice Yadav praised the efforts to abolish regressive practices within Hindu society, such as Sati and child marriage, calling for similar introspection and reform across all communities. He warned that failure to eliminate such practices voluntarily could lead to the imposition of a common law for all citizens.
The event was also attended by Justice Dinesh Pathak, who inaugurated the proceedings but did not speak.
