Judiciary must be Respected

Modi government has about to complete its term. During his tenure, his government faced some unprecedented challenges such as Islamic terrorism, Naxal terrorism, quota fights, Triple Talaq tension etc.  On all these issues, the government and all the opposition parties never cared about the judgments of the Honorable Supreme Court and the judiciary. The constitution is supreme and it is above all the interests.  Constitution has created a free and independent judiciary.

In its last cabinet meeting, the Union cabinet overruled the judgment of the Honorable Supreme Court in the implementation of a roster in the appointment of University and college teachers. The execution of the Supreme Court order to use 13-point roster was overturned.

Judiciary has witnessed one of the worst periods. The restoration of faith is really a colossal and supreme task. Nobody knows how to restore the respect of judiciary. Priority should be given to the judgment of the courts.

Now nobody respects the judiciary. All must uphold the principles of the Constitution and protect the right of equality guaranteed by the Constitution.  All the governments submit an affidavit in the Supreme Court, stating that whatever may be the court verdict, the governments would abide by that and would implement it. Therefore, it is the fundamental responsibility of the government to implement the verdict. Unfortunately, the same people started openly challenging our Constitution. Their ultimate aim was to disturb and malign secular mind and devise a religious and caste riot. Even those who claim themselves as the champions of secularism and equality fell in that trap.

Before roster, on the judgment of denial of forest right to tribal people, again the Supreme Court was the target of all. Unfortunately again, the judgment stayed. The government has never taken strict action against the perpetrators of violence across the nation against the judgments.  The protest has even reached to the level of throwing the bomb at a police station. During the Bharat Bandh called by the Dalit groups and supported by all the parties, there was large-scale violence by Dalits. The government was on knees and the bill was passed in the Parliament to appease the caste and communal groups. Again, the judgment of the court on the SC and ST Act was overturned.

Most of the culprits arrested in these cases are Dalits. The most bizarre thing that we see today is that the same Dalit and minority organisations campaigning about equality and peace. This is the technique of orchestrating religious and caste enmity and riot in order to garner political gains. Urban Naxals and left elements are at the forefront of the violence.

The renaissance movement and social reformers have failed in front of vote banks. Muslim leaders from Kashmir and Islamic groups openly warn the Supreme Court not to take any decision on Article- 370, Article-35A and the minority status to Hindus. Court immediately stopped the hearing. Similarly, on the minority character of AMU, triple talaq and other Sharia and Quran laws, nobody gives any respect to the judiciary. The ruling the highest court on Uniform Civil Code is yet to implement.

In the verdict, the Supreme Court has clearly spelt out that any violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution cannot be allowed. All governments, come into power based on the constitutional principles, are obliged to uphold the constitution as supreme. It is the duty of all the political parties to respect the judiciary. 

But immediately after the Supreme Court verdict related to Muslims, Dalits or tribals, there was a dangerous and regressive effort, in the name of secularism and social justice. Against the court verdict of upholding equality, minority and caste-based defamation reached into the level of violent attacks. There took place incidences of attack, in public, against innocent people. These events necessitated organised resistance against these disruptive forces. All are in favour of reservation and help for economically backward classes and minorities. But all should be with the spirit of our Constitution.

Now, special treatment to certain castes and Muslims has to stay. At the same time, there are thousands in the general category too who face economic difficulties. So relief should be provided for economically backward sections of the upper castes. The Supreme Court has maintained that reservation should not cross the 50% mark.  Now special treatment to minorities, Dalits and tribals would result in enmity between different communities or even result in clashes between communities.

Aggressive left –wing, secularists and social justice brand caste leaders register significant blackmailing powers in different parts of the country. In India, we see such an upsurge or emboldening of such forces. It is very difficult for the government to resist such forces. Hindu society maintains a unique secular mindset. This secular social formation is a result of numerous struggles led by the nationalist movements and other patriotic forces. Because of this historical legacy, the nation still keeps away these left-wing forces. Discredited with having no popular support in society, they try to show their might and influence through their muscle power. We have seen violence and aggression in the protest against SC and ST Act judgment, faculty roster judgment. But unlike in the past, the left wing forces were not able to gain much influence in India due to the strong resistance offered by the secular nationalist forces.

In a pan-Indian context, the nationalist movements and the Rights pursue many folded battles against neo-liberalism and communalism. It is because of this strong stand on these two fronts that these forces are continuously targeting the judiciary now and attacked by the opposition parties in different parts of the country. In a number of states, recently, BJP and Hindu leaders who were in the frontline of struggles against such forces were brutally killed by those who protect the interests of the divisive forces.  All this shows that nationalist forces pose a real political challenge to these divisive communal forces in the country. The principal aim and policy of these agitations are to grab employment opportunities without merit.

Nation has a situation where the secularist and the Left-wingers try to crumble the basic edifice of our judiciary. The assault on constitutional bodies and autonomous institutions is unprecedented. We have a situation where judgments of the Supreme Court are not honoured and overturned. It is a serious matter.  In higher education institutions and research institutes, people without enough qualification and people with complete obedience to the Left and caste forces are appointed.  Fake stories are being presented as the oppression of SCs, STs and minorities. The journalists steal even confidential files.  Therefore, in this context, the coming election assumes much significance in protecting the basic idea of India.

The current government is one of the most pro-people governments in the history of this country. Minorities, Dalits, peasants, students, writers, and the working class have got the maximum benefits.  But they have instigated into an active protest against this government. The general sentiment in the country is now against such forces. Both the opposition and the Congress are equally enthusiastic about implementing neoliberal policies in the country. All these parties also use communal sentiments in different ways and degrees. They pursue communal politics aggressively, as they are trying to win the Muslims. Now they are trying to communalize the SCs and STs. There is great danger of fascism involved in their politics.

The Lok Sabha election is an opportunity to evaluate the Union government and national politics. The people have realised from their experience the difference between present BJP and the situation five years ago.