Bengaluru, October 30: Former Supreme Court Judge Justice N Santosh Hegde opined that the judiciary has no right to give verdict on religious issues as they have to respect the community rights in a democratic system.

Speaking at a symposium on the impact of Supreme Court verdicts on socio-economic and political fields in the country, here on Tuesday, Justice Hegde said that in recent years, the courts have been giving judgements beyond their limitations. Fifteen days back, the Supreme Court has taken up two important issues like allowing women to Shabarimalai temple and Rama Mandir. But the religious issues should be left to the community or society. Interference of courts in such issues was not acceptable, he said.

“The courts should give interim verdicts on religious issues and then, they should direct the Legislative and Executive to solve the problem by giving time to decide what is wrong and what is not. The recent Supreme Court verdict on banning crackers is also out of its purview. Crackers have been bursting in the country since many years. There was no need for court intervention in this issue. It could have directed the Legislature to manufacture green crackers and distribute them”, the Justice said.  

When Kings were ruling the country, there was no option for the subjects to speak against the rulers. Even after the independence, there was no freedom for courts to give verdicts against the governments. But later, the judiciary had become stronger. There was a good opinion on the Supreme Court in the country as well as in abroad. But the recent incident of three SC Judges’ press conference had affected the reputation of the Apex Court and it was not a good development. He was proud for working for more than 35 years in the judiciary. But he was not happy for the present developments, he said hoping that the glory of the Supreme Court would return in future.

Political analyst Prof Sandeep Shastry said that the Judiciary has to intervene if the Legislature and Executive failed in their responsibility. But in India, the system was in ICU. So, the Supreme Court has to work as a doctor. Both the estates of the country should get fast recovery. The ruling and opposition parties have been trying to keep the system in ICU for their personal gains. So, they were against to take many issues front. Emotional issues like Shabarimalai and Rama Mandir of Ayodhya would not have any solution from the courts, he added.

Bantwala first Grade College principal Dr Ajjakala Girish Bhat, Arts College principal Prof Malleshwarappa and others were present.

“After the establishment of the Supreme Court, it has given thousands of verdicts in favour of the general public and thus ensured the peace in the country. So, such a judicial system should remain forever. It should further strengthen the public belief and confidence on judiciary. Judges should not bring their personal agenda in the verdicts”.

-          Justice N Santosh Hegde, Former SC Judge

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Bengaluru, Aug 11 (PTI): In response to a planned three-day strike by ASHA workers starting August 12, the Karnataka Health Department on Monday issued a notice prohibiting all officers and staff from taking leave during the protest period, except in cases of medical emergencies.

Accredited Social Health Activists workers are demanding the fixed honorarium of Rs 10,000 promised by the state government in January. They have announced a continuous state-level protest from August 12 to 14.

The notice stated, “Information about ASHA workers absent from duty within district limits will be collected daily from primary health centres, compiled at the district level, and submitted to the commissionerate by 3 pm during the protest.”

The Health Department also urged community health officers, primary health protection officers, health inspectors, and Anganwadi workers to cooperate in ensuring that health services to the public remain uninterrupted.

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