“Liberty, equality and fraternity is the trinity which the Indian Constitution guarantees. Now, these are endangered because of reactionary elements and the State transforming into a fascist Hindu one. All pillars are being taken over by such forces. For example, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) denies equal citizenship; [it is] against secularism, which is the bedrock of our democracy,” he said.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya dispute has emboldened the right reactionary forces to raise claims over other mosques across the country including the Gyanvapi mosque, retired apex court judge Justice V. Gopala Gowda said here on Saturday.
“The Ayodhya judgement has made the right reactionary forces claim Gyanvapi and other mosques in the country. This is a great threat to the Republic of India,” he said.
In its 2019 verdict, the apex court ruled that the disputed site on which Babri Masjid stood belongs to Hindus who claim it to be the birthplace of their deity Lord Ram.
Justice Gowda was speaking at a national convention under the theme Save Constitution, Save Democracy. It was organised by the All India Lawyers Union, the Delhi Union of Journalists, and the Democratic Teachers Front.
He said all pillars of democracy are being pulled down by the reactionary powers turning the country into a fascist state.
“Liberty, equality and fraternity is the trinity which the Indian Constitution guarantees. Now, these are endangered because of reactionary elements and the State transforming into a fascist Hindu one. All pillars are being taken over by such forces. For example, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) denies equal citizenship; [it is] against secularism, which is the bedrock of our democracy,” said the retired judge.
Justice Gowda also criticized the top court for declining to rule aptly in the matters such as the repeal of Article 370, the pandemic, armed forces, farm laws, the Election Commission and press freedom.
Highlighting the prolonged incarceration of journalist Siddique Kappan and the death of Gauri Lankesh, he said: “Many journalists were killed for reporting critically.”
“When Siddique Kappan petitioned for his release he was asked to go back to the Supreme Court. He was granted bail but delayed, after spending two years in jail. That too without any fault; he only went to report on the rape and murder case of a Dalit.”
Former Delhi High Court judge Justice Rekha Sharma and senior advocates Indira Jaising, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, Raju Ramachandran, and P.V. Surendranath were also present at the event.
