Impeachment Motion Moved Against High Court judge For 'Majority Wish' Remark
New Delhi: Opposition INDIA bloc members on Friday moved an impeachment motion against Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav over his controversial remark that India should run as per the wishes of the majority. He made the ‘discriminatory remark’ while speaking about the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) at a recent Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) event.
The impeachment motion was moved in Rajya Sabha, and senior Supreme Court advocate and Samajwadi Party MP Kapil Sibal submitted the notice for the motion. The motion has been signed by around 55 members, and discussion is likely before the end of the winter session of the parliament.
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Justice Yadav had made the controversial remark during an event held by the VHP on December 8. Speaking at the event in support of the UCC, the judge stated that the laws in the country should be aligned with the preference of the majority.
The judge said that the law works according to the majority, adding, “Look at it in the context of family or society… Only what benefits the welfare and happiness of the majority will be accepted.”
The remark ignited fury over the divisive nature of the statement by a High Court judge, with the opposition condemning and calling for action. The impeachment notice has mentioned that the judge engaged in hate speech and incitement while targeting minorities. It also alleged bias and prejudice from the High Court judge.
Supreme Court lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan had written to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, demanding an inquiry into the judge’s conduct, pointing out the ‘targeted discriminatory’ remark by the High Court judge.
After becoming a permanent judge in 2019, Justice Yadav has been associated with several controversial remarks, inviting criticism for making remarks. In a 2021 judgment, while denying bail to a man accused of cow slaughter, he called for declaring the cow as a national animal, referring to it as having sanctity. The judge had also claimed that scientists believe cows are the only animals that inhale and exhale oxygen while linking cow products to curing incurable diseases. He has also proposed the inclusion of the Gita and Ramayana in school curricula.
