Incumbent Allahabad HC judges advocates for Uniform Civil Code at VHP event
New Delhi: Two sitting judges of the Allahabad High Court were reportedly part of a closed-door event hosted by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Prayagraj on December 8, with one delivering a lecture on the contentious topic of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, a serving judge known for his polarizing observations, argued that the UCC is a constitutional necessity aimed at promoting equality and social harmony, as reported by TheWire.in.
The gathering, held in the High Court library, was organised by the VHP’s legal cell of the “Kashi Prant” (Varanasi province) and featured discussions on topics such as the Waqf Act and religious conversions.
Government advocate A.K. Sand and Anil Tiwari, president of the High Court Bar Association, also addressed the audience, comprising members of the VHP's legal cell from various districts in Uttar Pradesh.
Justice Yadav, speaking on the UCC, emphasized the principles of gender equality and secularism, asserting that a unified legal framework would eliminate disparities across and within communities. His speech drew attention due to his past remarks endorsing Hindu religious and cultural elements.
Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav | PC: theWire
In 2021, Justice Yadav suggested that the cow be declared a national animal and that Hindu scriptures, including the Ramayana and the Gita, be honored as national treasures and taught in schools. He has also called for stringent anti-cow slaughter laws and even proposed deferring elections during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect public health.
The event sparked criticism, with senior lawyer Indira Jaising denouncing Justice Yadav’s participation as inappropriate for a sitting judge. “What a shame for a judge to engage in a politically charged event organized by a Hindu group,” she remarked.
The VHP’s national co-convenor, Abhishek Atrey, and other speakers addressed issues such as amendments to the Waqf Act and concerns over the protection of Hindu identity. Atrey alleged parallels between Bangladesh's political unrest and the treatment of minorities, urging unity to preserve cultural identity.
Justice Dinesh Pathak was reportedly scheduled to inaugurate the event, but his attendance remained unconfirmed. The involvement of high-ranking judicial figures in an event associated with a religious-political organization continues to raise questions about judicial impartiality and ethics.
PC: theWire
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Defamatory post against Dharmasthala Veerendra Heggade: Case registered against Girish Mattannavar
Belthangady: A case has been registered at Dharmasthala police station against Girish Mattannavar over a complaint regarding alleged defamatory posts on social media against Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala.
The complaint was filed by Subrahmanya Prasad, a resident of Dharmasthala.
The complainant stated that Mattannavar posted content on Instagram making allegations against Dr. Heggade and allegedly affecting his reputation.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which is related to spreading false information, rumours, or alarming news, on April 18, and the investigation is in progress.
Following information about Mattannavar’s appearance at the SIT office on May 7, a police officer from Dharmasthala police station issued a notice directing him to appear at the station within a week.
