The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has called for action against Allahabad High Court Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav following his controversial remarks at a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) event over the weekend.
The bishops’ body criticised the judge’s statements advocating for majoritarian rule, asserting that such views conflict with the principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
Justice Yadav’s comments, delivered during the event held in the high court’s library hall, have drawn widespread criticism. He reportedly suggested that the law should operate in alignment with the preferences of the majority, which he identified as Hindus, and used a term known as a slur against Muslims. The VHP, the event organiser, is a far-right Hindutva group associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and has a history of targeting minority communities.
The CBCI, in its statement, highlighted that majoritarianism contradicts Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law. It emphasised that individuals lacking faith in constitutional morality should not hold judicial positions. The statement further urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to rise above political affiliations and initiate action to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Procedures for removing high court judges under Articles 124 and 217 of the Constitution were noted by the CBCI, which expressed disappointment in the failure of political parties to address the issue decisively.
However, the organisation acknowledged efforts by opposition MPs to initiate impeachment proceedings. Reports indicate that MPs in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have begun gathering signatures to move removal notices against Justice Yadav.
Other organisations, including the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms, have also demanded disciplinary action. The group urged the Chief Justice of India to conduct an in-house inquiry into Justice Yadav’s conduct and suspend his judicial responsibilities until the investigation concludes. Similarly, the All India Lawyers’ Association for Justice has requested urgent action to withdraw the judge’s administrative and judicial duties.
The CBCI’s statement concluded with a reminder of the constitutional vision outlined by B.R. Ambedkar, warning against prioritising sectarian interests over national unity. The calls for accountability reflect growing concerns over the potential impact of such remarks on the judiciary’s impartiality and the country’s constitutional integrity.