Owaisi slams Allahabad HC judge for attending VHP event
Hyderabad: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday sharply criticised Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court for participating in a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) event and making remarks that Owaisi deemed controversial. The VHP, a right-wing group associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has been banned in the past and is linked to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's ideological framework.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Owaisi expressed concern over a sitting judge attending the event, calling it a breach of judicial ethics. “The VHP has been banned on various occasions and is linked to the RSS, which Vallabhbhai Patel described as a ‘force of hate and violence.’ It is unfortunate that a High Court judge participated in a program by such an organisation,” he wrote.
Owaisi further reminded the judge of the constitutional principles of judicial independence and impartiality, citing the AoR Association vs. Union of India case, which emphasized that impartiality, independence, and fairness are cornerstones of the judiciary. He argued that such participation raises questions about the judge’s ability to deliver justice impartially.
Owaisi also stressed the democratic nature of India’s Constitution, which protects minority rights. Quoting B.R. Ambedkar, he said, “As a King has no Divine Right to rule, so also a majority has no Divine Right to rule.”
The Hyderabad MP labeled the judge's participation as an indictment of the collegium system, asserting that it undermines trust in judicial neutrality. He questioned how minorities or opposition parties could expect fair treatment before a judge who publicly associates with ideologically driven groups like the VHP.
The incident has reignited debates about judicial conduct and the separation of judiciary and politics. Neither Justice Yadav nor the Allahabad High Court has commented on the matter.