Supreme Court Demands Report from Allahabad High Court Following Controversial Remarks by Justice SK Yadav on Muslims
(Judicial Quest News Network)
In a major development, the Supreme Court of India has intervened in the aftermath of controversial comments made by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav of the Allahabad High Court. The remarks, made during an event organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on December 8, have sparked widespread outrage and drawn the attention of the country’s highest court.
Justice Yadav’s statements, which were seen as inflammatory and biased, have triggered demands for accountability and have raised serious concerns about the independence and neutrality of the judiciary. The Supreme Court has requested the Allahabad High Court to provide a detailed report on the matter.
At the event, Justice Yadav stated, “India will function as per the wishes of the majority community,” adding that “the welfare and happiness of the majority override those of others.” The remarks were made in the context of a discussion on the country’s governance and societal values. The judge went on to say, “This is Hindustan, and this country will function according to the beliefs of the majority. This is the law; it is not about speaking as a high court judge but rather about the law in accordance with the majority.”
Justice Yadav’s speech took a controversial turn when he used derogatory language to describe Muslims, referring to them as “Kathmullah”—a term frequently used on social media platforms like WhatsApp to dehumanize members of the community. He stated, “Kathmullah is not the right word, but I won’t hesitate to say it because they are harmful to the country. They are determined against the nation and people who live in public spaces, those who do not want the country to progress.”
In another troubling statement, Justice Yadav commented on the values taught to children in different communities, alleging that while one community is raised with values of kindness and nonviolence, the other is exposed to the “slaughter of animals” and thus unable to embrace tolerance.
The judge also weighed in on issues such as the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), triple talaq, and religious conversion. He argued that while women are revered as goddesses in Hindu scriptures like the Vedas and Shastras, some members of a particular community—implicitly referring to Muslims—continue to practice polygamy and engage in practices like halala and triple talaq. He claimed that the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code was inevitable and would happen “very soon.”
Justice Yadav’s remarks have led to a flurry of reactions, with several political figures and legal experts demanding immediate action. The Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) filed a formal complaint with the Chief Justice of India, urging an in-house inquiry into the judge’s conduct. The complaint raised concerns over the potential impact of Justice Yadav’s comments on the public’s perception of judicial impartiality and neutrality, especially given the wide media coverage of his speech.
In a related development, Member of Parliament (MP) from Srinagar, Roof Ullah Mehdi, announced that he would be moving an impeachment motion in Parliament for the removal of Justice Yadav. Mehdi criticized the judge’s speech as an “assault on the Constitution” and argued that his continued tenure posed a threat to the integrity, impartiality, and secular ethos of the Indian judiciary. Senior advocate Rebecca John also condemned the speech, stating that it undermined the credibility of the judiciary and raised serious questions about judicial impartiality, especially considering the judge’s public participation in programs aligned with a particular political ideology.
As the controversy continues to unfold, all eyes are now on the response from the Allahabad High Court and the further actions of the Supreme Court, with many calling for a thorough investigation into Justice Yadav’s conduct and possible judicial reforms to ensure greater accountability.
