Karnataka HC rejects plea challenging MLAs oath in the name of persons
Bengaluru, Dec 15: The Karnataka High Court on Friday dismissed a petition challenging the oath by nine ministers and 37 MLAs that was allegedly not in the prescribed format.
The petition claimed that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Zameer Ahmad Khan, KN Rajanna and others failed to take the oath of office in the prescribed format and therefore it should be declared unconstitutional.
A bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice Krishna S Dixit said that it was a technical issue that the oath was taken in the name of some persons.
The petition said that the oath could be taken only in the name of God or solemnly affirmed but these MLAs took the oath in the name of voters or other persons.
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However, the HC noted that “This is a democratic set up; they are elected, selected by the voters. This is a technical difficulty that too not as such going to the root. It is only additionally that sometimes in enthusiasm somebody may hail somebody. Let them do their business. If you are so unhappy with them, see that in the coming elections they are not your representatives.”
Dismissing the petition, the HC said, “If they are not doing as expected by you as a voter see that they are not elected. You have a right to elect and select a representative while exercising your mandate to select a good person as per your consideration who is worthy.”
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Bommai turns down honorary doctorate, calls for rethink on awards to politicians
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP MP and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has declined to accept an honorary doctorate from Haveri University, saying it is not appropriate to confer such honours on politicians or those engaged in self-motivated social service.
He said the love and trust of the people are the greatest honours in public life.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and Syndicate members of Haveri University for deciding to confer an honorary doctorate on me,” Bommai, MP from Haveri, said in a statement issued on Sunday night.
“However, I have informed the Vice-Chancellor that I will not accept the honour. As I am engaged in public service, I do not seek any awards. I believe the love and trust of the people are the greatest honours. Therefore, I humbly reiterate that I will not accept the honorary doctorate,” he said.
Bommai said honorary doctorates should be awarded to individuals who have rendered distinguished and significant service in a particular field over a long period.
“It is my personal view that it is not appropriate to confer honorary doctorates on politicians or those engaged in social service out of self-motivation. I request that this matter be reconsidered,” he added.
Recently, Karnataka Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar proposed the constitution of an expert panel to regulate the awarding of honorary doctorates.
In a letter to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, who is also the Chancellor of public universities in the state, the minister highlighted the lack of standards in conferring such honours.
