Several recent appointments illustrate the growing influence of the saffron-affiliated individuals in various sectors
NEW DELHI — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have been strategically appointing their members to key positions in the country, sparking controversy and debate. Recent examples illustrate the growing influence of the saffron-affiliated individuals in various sectors.
Advocate Arati Arun Sathe, former official spokesperson of the Maharashtra BJP, was appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court, sparking criticism from the Opposition. Rohit Pawar, MLA and General Secretary of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), questioned the impartiality of the judiciary, given Sathe’s background as a BJP spokesperson, media reports said on Tuesday.
Arati Sathe is among the three judges appointed for the Bombay High Court by Supreme Court collegium last week (July 28). Bhagwantrao Kadehankar, and Sushil Manohar Ghodeswar are the other two.
Rohit Pawar took to social media to post a screenshot of Ms Sathe’s appointment letter as BJP spokesperson — bearing the party’s letterhead and endorsed by Sathe herself.
“The appointment of someone who publicly speaks for the ruling party as a judge is a direct blow to democracy,” said Pawar. “This will severely impact the perception of impartiality in the judiciary.”
He questioned whether such appointments blur the line between politics and the judiciary.
“Just having legal qualifications isn’t enough. If people with political affiliations are made judges, isn’t that turning the judiciary into a political arena?” he asked.
Pawar invoked the principle of separation of powers as outlined in the Constitution, stating that such appointments undermine judicial independence and public trust, media reports said.
“Who can guarantee that justice will be free from political influence if a former political spokesperson sits on the bench?” he asked.
He demanded that the government reconsider Sathe’s appointment, and called upon the Chief Justice of India to “provide guidance” on the matter.
In response, Navnath Bang, in charge of the Maharashtra BJP media cell, confirmed that Arati Sathe was indeed a spokesperson for the party but stressed that she resigned from the post before her judicial appointment.
“She is no longer associated with the party in any official capacity,” he said, implying that there was no conflict of interest at the time of her elevation.
The case of Arati Sathe is not an isolate one. In Uttar Pradesh, approximately 40% of posts in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Scheduled Castes (SC) Commissions are held by individuals with RSS backgrounds. Sohanlal Shrimali, co-provincial secretary in the RSS, serves as Vice Chairman of the OBC Commission; Vinod Singh Patel, Vinod Yadav, and Kuldeep Vishwakarma have held prominent RSS roles.
Similarly, the head of the Scheduled Castes Commission, Baidyanath Rawat, has long been associated with the RSS. Besides, Bechan Ram, Vice Chairman, and members like Vinay Ram, Mithai Lal, and Ajay Kori have worked closely with the Sangh.
These appointments suggest a growing synergy between the BJP and RSS, with the RSS exerting significant influence over key positions in government, judiciary, and party leadership. Critics argue that this could impact the perception of impartiality in institutions and undermine democratic principles.
