Justice Sudershan Reddy, Opposition’s VP pick, responds to criticism over the Salwa Judum verdict, affirming that his only ideology is the Constitution and constitutional morality.
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NEW DELHI: Former Supreme Court judge and the Opposition’s vice-presidential nominee, Justice (retired) B Sudershan Reddy, has continued to be criticised for a 2011 verdict. The controversy arose from his 2011 judgment declaring the Salwa Judum unconstitutional. Despite criticism, Justice Reddy maintains that his only guiding ideology is the Indian Constitution.
The 2011 Salwa Judum Verdict
In July 2011, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Reddy and Justice SS Nijjar delivered a landmark verdict disbanding Salwa Judum, a state-supported vigilante group in Chhattisgarh. The judgment held that arming tribal youths as Special Police Officers to combat Maoist insurgency was unconstitutional, illegal, and a threat to the rule of law. The ruling emphasized that constitutional principles could not be sacrificed in the name of security.
The decision drew sharp criticism, with detractors accusing Justice Reddy of siding with Maoists. Responding to these allegations, he firmly stated,
“I am not a Naxal supporter. The Salwa Judum judgment was not in favour of the Maoists. If it was, why has it not been challenged till now?”
In his defense, a group of 18 former judges, including retired Supreme Court judges, has come forward to clarify that the Salwa Judum verdict did not endorse Maoist ideology. Instead, it upheld the supremacy of constitutional values over unconstitutional state practices.
Justice Reddy is contesting the September 9 vice-presidential elections against the NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan. The election was necessitated by the resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. As part of his campaign, Justice Reddy has announced that he will write to Members of Parliament, the Prime Minister, and Union Ministers, seeking their support. His stated priority, if elected, is to defend and uphold the Constitution.
Although Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has already pledged his support to the NDA candidate, Justice Reddy said he will reach out to him personally.
Justice Reddy’s judicial career, spanning the Andhra Pradesh High Court, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, and finally the Supreme Court (2007–2011), has been marked by a commitment to social justice. He focused extensively on access to education, often criticizing policies that restricted higher education opportunities for marginalized communities.
Case Title:
Nandini Sundar and Ors. Versus State of Chattisgarh
WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) NO. 250 OF 2007
READ ORDER HERE
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