The welfare and happiness of the majority take precedence, even in contexts like family or society, says Justice Shekhar Yadav
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The country’s governance should align with the majority’s wishes, Justice Shekhar Yadav, a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court, has said at an event hosted by the Vishva Hindu Parishad’s (VHP).
“This is Hindustan, and the nation will operate as per the desires of the majority (bahusankhyak). I have no hesitation in saying this. This is the law. The welfare and happiness of the majority take precedence, even in contexts like family or society,” Justice Yadav said during his lecture on the constitutional need for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Prayagraj on Sunday.
“Did you imagine seeing the Ram Mandir with your own eyes? Many of our ancestors made sacrifices in the hope of seeing Ram Lalla freed and witnessing the construction of a grand temple. They did their part, now we are witnessing it (the temple),” he said.
Justice Yadav questioned why regressive practices like untouchability, Sati, and Jauhar were abolished in Hinduism while practices such as polygamy persist in the Muslim community, deeming them unacceptable. He highlighted that while Hindu scriptures like the Vedas and Shastras revere women as goddesses, certain communities continue practices like halala, triple talaq, and polygamy, which he says he strongly opposes, media reports reaching here said on Monday.
He acknowledged that Hinduism had its share of social evils, such as child marriage and Sati, but reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy fought to eradicate them. In contrast, he argued that there had been a lack of similar reform efforts within the Muslim community to address issues like triple talaq and halala.
“You can’t disrespect a woman who has been recognised as a goddess in our Shastras and Vedas. You can’t claim the right to have four wives, perform halala, or practice triple talaq. You say we have the right to say ‘#tripletalaq,’ and not give maintenance to women. This right will not work. #UCC isn’t something that VHP, RSS, or Hinduism advocates. The country’s top court also talks about it…This is the historic library hall of the court, where so many great personalities have been. I am speaking here, among them… Not just saying. I am taking an oath that this country will definitely bring a single law, and it will bring it very soon,”, Justice Yadav was quoted as saying.
He pointed out that since this country has one constitution and one set of penal laws, it is only logical that civil laws should also be unified.
Justice Yadav also remarked in his speech that “We suffer when we see others suffering…but you don’t. We teach tolerance and kindness to our children since birth. When we have a child, we push them towards God since childhood, read Ved-mantras, teach them about non-violence, but your (Muslims) children are shown slaughter of animals since childhood,” he said, questioning how the children can be then expected to be kind or generous.
Justice Yadav began the address by connecting his identity to India’s cultural heritage, symbolised by the Ganga River, the cow, and the Bhagavad Gita.
“My country is one where the culture is defined by Gaay, Gita, and Ganga, where the image of Harbala Devi is revered, and every child embodies Ram,” he said.
Justice Yadav further explained that being Hindu is not confined to rituals like taking a dip in the Ganga or applying sandalwood paste (chandan). Instead, he defined a Hindu as anyone who considers this land their mother and is ready to sacrifice for the country in times of need, and respects its cultural essence, regardless of whether they follow the Quran, the Bible, or any other faith.
