Octogenarian moves SC for defining 'religion', plea dismissed
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea of an octogenarian seeking that "religion" be defined as it would bring peace in the country.
Eighty-seven-year-old Rameshchandra Vithaldas Sheth, who appeared before a bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde through video-conferencing, said that there are a number of articles in the Constitution which deal with religion but nowhere it has been defined.
The bench also having Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian said that it respects the age of the petitioner but added that courts cannot enter into the domain in which it is not entitled.
During the hearing, Sheth told the bench that if the court defines the word "religion", there will be no communal riots and it will ultimately bring peace in the country.
The CJI asked Sheth why he was raising the issue at this stage.
To this, the octogenarian replied that he has taught about religion to the people for 50 long years, and what he has understood is that defining this word would bring peace.
The bench said that it does not have the expertise to deal with the issue and it would be better if he makes a representation before the central government.
Sheth said that he has already made the representation but no answer has been received. The bench asked Sheth to withdraw the petition or it would dismiss it.
Sheth replied that it would not like to withdraw the petition, after which the court dismissed it.
"The writ petition is dismissed. Pending application(s), if any, stands disposed of accordingly," the bench said.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
