GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court Collegium has summoned Allahabad High Court's Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav to explain his contentious remarks at a VHP event recently.The meeting is likely to be held on Tuesday, December 17.
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Justice Yadav had sparked controversy on December 8 stating India will operate according to the wishes of the majority population during his speech at the event organised by the legal cell of the VHP’s, according to reports.
The judge made a series of other controversial remarks during his speech, including the use of the term "kathmullah," a derogatory slur against Muslims.
Videos of the remarks, shared widely on social media, sparked widespread criticism, with opposition leaders calling the comments divisive and unconstitutional.
In response to media reports on Justice Yadav’s remarks, the Supreme Court on December 10 sought a report from the Allahabad High Court. An official statement from the top court said, "The Supreme Court has taken note of newspaper reports of a speech given by Mr 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."
Moreover, Members of Parliament (MPs) led by Kapil Sibal have submitted an impeachment motion to the Rajya Sabha Secretary General.
The motion, signed by 55 MPs, is expected to be addressed during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
The impeachment motion alleged that the judge "engaged in hate speech and incitement" and "targeted minorities and displayed bias and prejudice against them" with his address at the VHP event.
It also stated that Justice Yadav had crossed a line by "expressing his views on political matters in a public space" and that this was an egregious violation.