Retired Justice K Chandru launched a scathing attack on Madras High Court Judge GR Swaminathan, accusing him of betraying his judicial oath by making anti-Constitution remarks at an RSS event, sparking nationwide debate on secularism and equality.
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On October 22, 2025, at an event organized by the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) Advocates’ Wing and Samathuva Vazkarinyar Sangam, retired Justice K Chandru addressed that resonated far beyond the Valluvar Kottam auditorium. The subject of his critique was the alleged violations of constitutional values by sitting Madras High Court Justice G.R. Swaminathan and broader systemic issues affecting the judiciary and society.
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Justice Chandru did not mince words. He described Justice G.R. Swaminathan as a “strange person” for making statements at Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) events that, according to Chandru, strike at the heart of India’s constitutional values. Speaking at an event in Haryana, Justice Swaminathan reportedly described the Indian Constitution as a “copied” document derived from the Government of India Act, 1935, claiming it lacked originality.
Chandru was clear: such statements contradict the solemn oath that judges take to uphold the Constitution “without fear or favour.” “He violated it. That is against the very oath of office,”
Chandru said.
For Justice Chandru, this isn’t just a matter of rhetoric; it’s a fight over the ideological soul of India. He emphasized that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s constitutional vision aimed to guarantee equality, protect minority rights, and dismantle social hierarchies. Any statements undermining this framework, Chandru argued, are attacks on the very foundation of India’s democracy.
“Those who violate the rule of law and deny Ambedkar’s legacy cannot be allowed,” he asserted, urging lawyers and citizens to prepare for “a larger ideological struggle between equality and hierarchy.”
Justice Chandru also highlighted issues of caste-based discrimination within the judiciary. He criticized the treatment of Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, a member of the Scheduled Caste community, noting lapses in protocol during official visits and incidents within courtrooms. Chandru underscored that even the highest offices remain vulnerable to caste bias, sending a troubling signal about respect for institutions.
He drew a powerful parallel with the anti-caste movement, invoking Periyar E.V. Ramasamy’s defiant act when a slipper was thrown at him. “Periyar picked it up and said he would wear another pair,” Chandru recalled, arguing that such symbols, rather than being humiliating, signify equality and resistance against oppression.
Justice Chandru’s address went beyond individual events to touch upon the broader ideological battles shaping India today. He warned against attempts to reinterpret the Constitution through the lens of “Sanatana” hierarchy, celebrating figures like Manu while ignoring Ambedkar’s legacy.
“The struggle today is not between two individuals but between two ideas of justice, one based on equality and another rooted in hierarchy,”
he said, framing the ongoing debates over law, society, and justice as a confrontation of ideas, not personalities.