Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Ruhullah Mehdi, Lak Sabha member from Srinagar, has announced plans to move an impeachment motion against the sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav for “overtly [expressing] a preference for a particular religious majority and their cultural practices” — which, the MP holds, is in “violation of the foundational principles of judicial conduct and the constitutional mandate”.
Justice Yadav made objectionable and derogatory remarks targeting Muslims at an event hosted by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj at the weekend.
Mehdi took to social media to announce his attempt to pursue the motion against Justice Yadav in Parliament for the “unbecoming, derogatory language” he used for the Muslim community, perpetuating negative stereotypes, and revealing “political biases… and deep-rooted communalism”, which stand in opposition to Article 14 of the Constitution.
“I am moving impeachment motion in the Parliament in accordance with Article 124(4) of the constitution for the removal of this justice namely Shekhar K Yadav, a sitting Judge in Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad on the charges mentioned in the notice. I need the signatures of 100 members to move this motion. More than 7 members including @asadowaisi sahab, Shri Rajkumar Roat Hon’ble MP from Rajasthan, Shri Sudhama Prasad ji Hon’ble MP from Bihar, Jinab Mohibbullah Sahab Hon’ble MP from UP and Jinab Ziau Rahman Sahab, Hon’ble MP from UP signed it and I thank them for their support and signatures,” said Mehdi.
He further said “I also talked with the members from @INCIndia @samajwadiparty @arivalayam and @AITCofficial who assured me that they will sign and support the motion after consultation with their respective party leaderships. I am hopeful that they will support this motion because these are the parties who believe in the idea of India and its Principles and Values”.
Amid clamour on social media, the Supreme Court said it ‘has taken note of the newspaper reports of a speech given by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, a sitting judge of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad. The details and particulars have been called from the high court and the matter is under consideration (sic).’
On 8 December, Sunday, Justice Yadav was present at the VHP event and spoke on the ‘Uniform Civil Code: A Constitutional Necessity’. He asserted that the country should and would function as per the wishes of the majority (bahusankhyak) — the Hindus. He declared that he was “taking an oath” that the Uniform Civil Code should soon be implemented in the country as he recounted the “sacrifices our (Hindu) ancestors made” for the Ayodhya temple.
“I have no hesitation in stating that this is Hindustan, and this country will function according to the wishes of the majority living here. This is the law. It is not about speaking as a high court judge; rather, the law operates in accordance with the bahusankyak (majority). Consider this in the context of a family or society — only what ensures the welfare and happiness of the majority will be accepted,” he said.