Owaisi criticizes retired SC Judge who upheld Hijab verdict for attending VHP meet
Says "Sab 'BeNaqab' ho raha hain"
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has sparked a debate with his remark, "Sab 'BeNaqab' ho raha hain" (Everyone’s mask is coming off), in response to the participation of former Supreme Court judge, Justice Hemant Gupta, in a "Judges Meet" event organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Owaisi shared the comment on X (formerly Twitter) after The News Minute reported on the gathering held on September 8, where Justice Gupta and at least 30 other retired judges from the Supreme Court and various High Courts were present.
The meeting, hosted by the legal wing of the VHP in New Delhi, reportedly focused on topics that resonate with Hindutva groups, such as the status of the Varanasi and Mathura temples, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, and issues surrounding religious conversions.
Owaisi's critical remark came in the wake of Justice Gupta’s previous involvement in high-profile cases, including his decision to uphold the Karnataka High Court's verdict in the controversial Hijab ban case. In that case, Justice Gupta sided with the Karnataka High Court's ruling, stating that wearing the hijab was not an "essential religious practice" under Article 25 of the Constitution. His stance on the matter led to a split verdict in the Supreme Court, where Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia dissented. The case was referred to a larger bench, and the matter remains unresolved.
Responding to the criticism surrounding his attendance at the VHP event, Justice Gupta defended his participation, emphasizing his rights as a retired judge and citizen of India. He told The Quint, "I cannot comment about others but I have the liberty to associate with platforms and forums to discuss and deliberate upon current issues and topics as any other citizen of the country." He further added that he attended the event to engage in discussions on "current events and affairs."
Justice Gupta’s judicial career has included several high-profile and often controversial rulings. Before retiring, he upheld the Karnataka High Court’s decision on the Hijab ban case. His final judgment raised significant public debate, given the delicate balance between religious freedom and state regulations.
Apart from his involvement in the Hijab case, Justice Gupta was also part of a 2022 split verdict on the use of Eidgah Maidan in Bengaluru for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. The case was later referred to a larger bench. Additionally, in 2020, he delivered a notable ruling stating that caste-based slurs made in private, rather than in public view, do not constitute a punishable offense under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Justice Gupta also served on the constitutional bench that declared Maratha reservations unconstitutional in 2019 for exceeding the 50% cap on reservations, a decision that stirred significant debate across the country.
Two months after his retirement from the Supreme Court, Justice Gupta was appointed as the Chairperson of the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC) by the central government.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
