Justice G.R. Swaminathan of the Madras High Court on Saturday said he hoped to serve for another four-and-a-half years and intended to demonstrate excellence during this remaining tenure, adding that he wished to keep Sanatana Dharma close to his heart.
According to a report by Bar and Bench, the remarks were made at an event organised by the Dara Foundation in Chennai.
Justice Swaminathan has frequently drawn attention in recent months for a series of contentious comments, both in court and at public events, particularly on matters related to caste, religion, social justice and Dravidian politics.
Several of these statements and judicial observations have attracted criticism from Dalit groups, civil society organisations and political leaders, who have accused him of advancing Brahminical and majoritarian perspectives that they argue are at odds with the Constitution’s commitments to equality and secularism, Maktoob Media reported.
Last year, Members of Parliament from the INDIA bloc wrote to President Droupadi Murmu and then Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai expressing concern over the judge’s conduct. In letters dated August 11, 2025, they alleged that Justice Swaminathan showed preferential treatment towards advocates from the Brahmin community and those linked to Hindu right-wing ideologies.
Sanatana Dharma itself has become increasingly contested in public debate, with critics arguing that it is often invoked today not simply as a spiritual or philosophical tradition, but as a framework used to justify caste hierarchies, social exclusion and Hindu majoritarian politics.
Dalit and anti-caste movements have long maintained that references to Sanatana Dharma have historically been used to legitimise Brahminical dominance, patriarchal practices and discrimination against marginalised communities. In the present political context, critics say the term is frequently employed to delegitimise dissent, label opponents as “anti-Hindu,” and blur the boundary between religion and state power, making its invocation by a constitutional authority particularly controversial.
“Collegium gems like him should resign from judicial office and take lifelong guidance and inspiration from Sanatan Dharma for all we care. This statement flies in the face of constitutional oath, but this isn’t his first time and won’t be the last! Another Abhijeet Gangopadhyay,” read a post by lawyer Ashish Goel.
“Which Dr. B R Ambedkar opposed, this man and his coterie wants to embrace. The reason why they should be opposed,” read an X post by D Selva Kumar.