77% of High Court judges appointed since 2018 from upper castes: Law Ministry to Parliament
New Delhi: The Ministry of Law and Justice recently informed the Parliament that around 77 percent (551 out of 715) of all High Court judges appointed since 2018 were from upper caste communities.
In response to a question from Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Kumar Jha regarding diversity in the judiciary, Law Minister Arjun Kumar Meghwal said, “Out of 715 High Court Judges appointed since 2018, 22 belong to SC category, 16 belong to ST category, 89 belong to OBC category, and 37 belong to minorities.”
The ministry pointed out that as per the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), the responsibility for initiation of proposals for appointment of Judges in the Supreme Court vests with the Chief Justice of India, while the responsibility for initiation of proposals for appointment of Judges in the High Courts vests with the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
“Only those persons who are recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium, are appointed as Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts,” it added.
However, the ministry shared that the government has been requesting the chief justices of High Courts to give due consideration to “suitable candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minorities and women to ensure social diversity in the appointment of judges in High Courts.”
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My party will complete 5-year term, says CM Siddaramaiah
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that the Congress government would complete its five-year term, while sidestepping questions on whether he personally would remain in office for the full duration.
Addressing reporters here, he maintained that decisions on the leadership would rest with the party high command and refrained from giving a direct answer on his own tenure.
“Our party will complete five years,” Siddaramaiah said, when asked if he would complete a full term as Chief Minister.
On the issue of leadership, he reiterated that the final call would be taken by the party leadership, saying, “The high command will decide. There’s no point asking the same thing again.”
Indicating his readiness to travel to the national capital if required, he said, “If I am called to Delhi, I will go,” adding that he would seek an appointment with Rahul Gandhi if needed.
The talks on leadership change have intensified in the power corridor of the state where claims were made that Siddaramaiah would make way for his Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
The Chief Minister also underlined that recent by-election victories in Bagalkote and Davanagere South assembly segment reflected public support for the government, stating that this clearly shows that people have appreciated the Congress government and its programmes.
The CM also dismissed the opposition’s claims, alleging they lacked strategy, and said local body elections would be conducted as per rules.
