Judge’s Pak remark

IN this age of social media and incessant public scrutiny, it’s not easy for persons in high places to say anything and get away with it. Once immune to criticism, judges, too, are feeling the heat. Taking suo motu cognisance of reports about controversial remarks by Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda of the Karnataka High Court, the Supreme Court has sought a report from the HC Registrar General. In a video clip that has gone viral, the judge is heard saying during a case hearing that a certain area of Bengaluru is in Pakistan. Justice Srishananda left no room for doubt that he was referring to the Muslim community when he said that every autorickshaw in that area had 10 people and even a strict police officer would be beaten up there.

The judge has laid bare his deep-rooted prejudice, causing embarrassment to the entire judiciary. The delivery of justice is bound to be adversely impacted when some judges are perceived to have political or communal leanings. In May, Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash of the Calcutta High Court had thanked the RSS in his farewell speech and fondly recalled his long association with the right-wing body. The disclosure had cast a shadow on his entire career and shown the high court in a poor light.

Article 50 of the Constitution, which puts the onus on the State to separate the judiciary from the executive in public services, seems to have been conveniently forgotten. As is often the case these days, the Supreme Court has taken it upon itself to set things right. Upset at the provocative remark of Justice Srishananda, a five-judge SC Bench has said that it may lay down basic guidelines. It’s the need of the hour to ask judges at all levels to mind their language. The apex court had taken a commendable initiative last year by bringing out the Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes. Something similar is required to counter communal stereotypes.