Constitution's survival linked to India's demographic profile: Madras HC Judge
Chennai, Apr 6: The Indian Constitution's survival hinges on the nation's demographic profile and if it is altered, then it would cease to exist, Judge, Madras High Court, Justice GR Swaminathan has said.
Addressing an event, Justice Swaminathan made a quick reference to the making of the Constitution between 1947-49 and its coming into force in 1950.
The Judge said: "For all of us, the ultimate is only the Constitution authored by Dr B R Ambedkar and I say this happily with pride. There is Contitutional morality and we must not go beyond it at all."
Just before making a comment on Constitution vis-a-vis the nation's demography, he said his view could turn out to be "slightly controversial" but he was not "very much worried about it" as he had already made a mention on the mater in one of his judgments.
He said: "If this Constitution is to continue as it is for all the time to come, I am emphasising this, when the Constitution was made, we had a demographic profile of our own. Only till such time this demographic profile continues, this Constitution will survive as it is; if this demographic profile is altered, this Constitution will cease to exist."
Therefore, for the Constitution to survive for all times the demographic profile should continue to be as it is, he said.
The Constitution could survive only if people belonging to "Bharatiya Dharma and Samprataya" continue to be within its fold, he said. "I am a Judge and I cannot say anything more. You should understand," he said.
Justice Swaminathan's comment drew both flak and praise in social media. Rajya Sabha MP and former Union Minister Kapil Sibal tweeted saying, "The constitution may not survive if judges have such a mindset."
On April 2, the Judge took part in a function here to release three books based on spiritual themes. It includes "Tiruppavayil Naveena Melanmai Padam." It menas "Modern management lesson in Tiruppavai."
A devotional poem, Tiruppavai is revered and it is authored by the only woman among 12 Alavars, who are Tamil Vaishnavite saints.
The Judge said, to take forward the work on Bharatiya Dharma, reading such books authored by Makara Sadagopan would be useful.
Justice Swaminathan in his address recounted two incidents from his experience and said it was to show that "we have moved away." This is perceived as divergence from the nation's culture and heritage and not giving due importance to learning one's mother tongue despite claiming to be an enthusiast of the Tamil language.
The Judge said he considered the books that are released as an attempt aimed at fostering harmony by bridging the culture gap.
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Sixth bridge collapse in Bihar within 10 days, latest incident in Thakurganj
Patna: Bihar has witnessed yet another bridge collapse, marking the sixth such incident in a span of just ten days. The latest collapse occurred in Thakurganj, where a bridge built in 2007-2008 succumbed to rising water levels in the Bund River after heavy rains.
The structure developed a significant crack and sank by a foot, after which authorities deemed it unsafe for use. Located in Khoshi Dangi village of Patharia panchayat, the bridge was crucial for connecting several panchayats, impacting around 60,000 residents, according to NDTV.
This incident follows a series of collapses starting from June 19, beginning with an under-construction bridge in Araria. Subsequent incidents occurred in Siwan (June 22), East Champaran (June 23), Kishanganj (June 24), and an under-construction bridge in Madhubani (June 28).
