Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait calls for reform in judicial appointments, highlighting the challenges faced by marginalised sections in the legal field
Team Clarion
BHOPAL – Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court, Suresh Kumar Kait, has made a striking observation regarding the underrepresentation of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the judiciary.
During a seminar organised in memory of advocate Rajkumar Jain on Saturday in Vidisha, Justice Kait revealed that since the establishment of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in 1956, no individual from the SC or ST categories has been appointed as a judge, despite the presence of qualified candidates.
Justice Kait raised critical questions about the lack of representation, stating, “Madhya Pradesh High Court was formed in 1956, and since then, no person from the SC or ST category has become a judge here, neither from the services nor from the advocates. I do not know why this happened. Some people could have become judges, but still did not. There must be some reason. Today, when we talk about equality, we need to think once again why this is happening.”
In his address, Chief Justice Kait emphasised that while equality is often discussed, it is equally important to promote a sense of fraternity. He noted that the strict rules governing the appointment of judicial officers in the high court have proven to be a significant barrier for SC/ST candidates. For instance, he pointed out that 109 posts reserved for the Scheduled Tribe category in the state remain vacant due to the inability of candidates from this category to meet the stringent requirements.
“The rules for judicial appointments are proving to be a big obstacle for people of SC/ST backgrounds. For example, there are 109 reserved posts for the Scheduled Tribe category in the state, but they remain vacant because students from this category cannot meet the strict criteria,” Justice Kait explained. He stressed that societal support, particularly through enhanced education and training, is crucial to enabling these communities to make their mark in the judicial field.
Justice Kait further elaborated on the importance of reservation, describing it as essential for achieving social justice and harmony. He asserted that reservation is key to providing equal opportunities for historically marginalised groups, enabling them to break free from centuries of deprivation.
“Equality can only be established in society by giving a proper place to those who have been deprived of their rights for centuries. Reservation is the basis of social harmony and justice,” said Justice Kait.
He also shared his perspective on crime, noting that a lack of education is a significant contributor to criminal behaviour. “The biggest reason for crime is lack of education. As education spreads, crimes will decrease,” he remarked.
Addressing the challenges faced by SC/ST candidates, Justice Kait recommended a reassessment of the current rules for judicial appointments. He argued that the existing rules, which favour individuals from higher social and educational backgrounds, need to be reconsidered to ensure greater inclusivity.
“It is necessary to consider rules that are favourable to only those from high social and educational backgrounds. These rules need to be re-examined,” he suggested. He also called for the initiation of special programmes aimed at supporting SC/ST candidates in fulfilling the qualifications required for judicial roles.
The seminar also saw contributions from Supreme Court Judge JK Maheshwari and Gwalior High Court Judge Anand Pathak, both of whom expressed their views on the need for social justice and equality. Judge Maheshwari underscored the importance of providing equal educational opportunities to all segments of society, stating, “Effective steps need to be taken to bring equality of education and opportunity in society.”
In conclusion, Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait’s statements have sparked an important debate about the barriers faced by SC/ST candidates in entering the judiciary. His call for reform, particularly in the areas of educational support, reservation, and judicial appointment criteria, highlights the need for a more inclusive approach to achieving true social justice in India.
